Page 44 - Faith Personified

There is a difference in the ripe and unripe stage. For example
before commencing 3-8-9 day long fasts, a person desires a
nutritious meal to strengthen and support his body till the
end. Now will you consider this meal as a medium to fulfil his
desire of tickling his tastebuds? No. His intention is not just
to savour delicacies for the moment.

If a sick man takes medicines from time to time, does it mean
that he considers it to be a form of enjoyment? Of course
not. He is very well aware that the medicine is to be
abandoned at the earliest but considering his condition, he
takes it as a necessity.

A wealthy merchant sends his son to his friend’s firm to make
him learn business tactics and gain experience. He does not
consider this employment joyful but believes it to be essential
for the unripe stage.

Similar is the state of the one who considers sensual pleasures
deplorable. In this initial stage, he considers a substantial
means of livelihood and his material wants as a medicine – a

necessity and not a luxury. This is the ultimate intention of
this prayer.

A samyaktvi person’s religious understanding and faith makes
worldly pleasures seem insignificant, unpleasant and
harrowing. Thus, such pleasures do not enthral him and
absence of such pleasures does not depress him.

Sulsa Shravika also did not wail in the absence of a child. But
her husband did not possess a similar religious understanding

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