Page 100 - Desire to Disaster

Question : What would you seek if there was no sincere
regret?

Answer : If there is sincere regret, if the sins of the world
pain your heart, then you will seek to worship
the Arihantas, who have shown the way to move
away from the pain and sorrows of the world. In
the absence of such regret, you may still visit the
temple and offer prayers to the Lord, but if you are
complacent about your wealth, your social standing
and familial circumstances, there is nothing to ask
from god. You are unlikely to seek his blessings
and grace. That would only happen if you had true
regret in your heart about your past transgressions.
Then you would be truly repentant about forgetting
god in your lust for wealth and pleasure. And would
realise the great sins you have committed in order
to enjoy the fruits of your wealth.

Question : If the heart kept regretting its past transgressions,
would it not lead to Rotadvedaa {proneness to
tears}?
Answer : Yes, it would lead to Rotadvedaa — only for sinful
deeds. It is indeed a good quality to have fear and
disinterest in sinful deeds.As far as committing sinful
deeds is concerned, fearlessness and enthusiasm
are bad qualities. The soul that constantly regrets
sins and sinfulness becomes an awakened soul. He
shall truly seek dharma. He shall worship the Jinas
and true preceptors with genuine devotion. He shall
seek from the very core of his being. Such seeking
is the cornerstone for spiritual accomplishment.
But where does it stem from? It can only manifest
when there is true regret for one’s transgressions
and sinful behaviour. When the heart bleeds tears of

100 Desire to Disaster