Independence of Soul

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Independence of Soul

 

An Incident from the Life of Bhagwan Mahaveer.

 

This happened about 2500 years ago. Mahaveer was a householder then. One day, he

went out for a stroll accompanied by a servant. While walking by a luxurious

house Mahaveer heard someone screaming. He stopped and asked his servant, " What

is going on there? Please go inside and find out. "

 

The servant went in and returned after a while. He said, " One man is beating

another man. The one who is being beaten is crying. "

 

Mahaveer asked, " Why is the man beating his fellow man? "

 

The servant said, " Because one man is a master and the other one is a slave. "

 

Mahaveer became concerned. He said, " How can society allow a man to become a

master who has the right to beat up on another fellow man? "

 

The servant kept quiet for a while. Then he said, " O Prince, not only that, but

slaves are bought and sold like cattle. "

 

Mahaveer was deeply hurt. He thought, " What kind of social order is this? All

living beings have souls. How can some become masters and make others their

slaves? How can one be superior and the other inferior? "

 

Mahaveer continued to think. Finally he concluded, " This should not happen. It

is not fair. All have a right to live with dignity. Nobody can take away this

right. We should set up such a social system. "

 

This incident inspired Mahaveer to devote his life for the good of all living

beings. The day came when he gave up his kingdom and all material possessions.

He spent the rest of his life in uplifting the self and showed the path to

happiness to all.

 

An independent soul values the independence of others the same way as one's own

freedom.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry