Page 17 - Faith Personified

Feelings leave a deep impact on your thoughts, actions and
words. Remember – Our feelings are like a horse. It drags
along the chariot of thoughts, words and actions along with
it. If the horse goes wild, it loses its ability of rational thinking
and drags the chariot off-track. Similarly if our feelings get

poisoned and are deprived of practicality, it is natural that
our thoughts, words and actions are dragged in the wrong
direction. Observe your thoughts and behaviour towards a
person for whom you harbour feelings of hatred and revenge.

How do you converse with him? How is your tone while you
talk about him in front of someone else? How is your body
language and facial expressions while you are face-to-face with
him? Isn’t your hatred evident? Doesn’t this hatred sometimes
end up in physical abuse? The reason? The immense hatred
towards him that has enveloped your heart. Thus you should

take utmost care – “Do not spoil your feelings towards
anyone.”

Strive to ensure that activities of mind, speech and body are
royal and refined, not weak and low, because actions enrich

your thoughts. You must have experienced that many times
you go to the temple just as a routine activity but as you
worship and bow down in Almighty Arihantas’ feet, a sudden
wave of positive and noble thoughts invigorate your existence.
As you begin the Chaityavandana, recite Namutthunam (A

Prahrut Verse which praises Arihantas) followed by a heart-
rendering Stavan (devotional song), you can feel your devotion
and dedication progressively rising. Even if we are not singing,

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