Pull Out the Thorn with the Thorn
Chapter- 42
The nature of the saints is like a tree laden with fruits. When a traveler throws stones on the fruits-bearing tree it returns them with sweet fruits.
When any one hurts the saints with his harsh words, he does not oppose or retaliate but annuls them with his sweet words.
The saint overwhelms his opponent so much with his simplicity and transparent vision that the opponent’s flame of revenge cools down as a flower-garden.
The ‘Pichhi’ of a Digambar Man Achharya Shri that
he always embellishes in his hands reveals this fact like a silent message-bearer, which tells that softness, beauty and the feeling of protection are precisely a symbol of bestowing blessings while still doing the work of sweeping/brushing.
Once a non-Jain came to Achharya Shri and said arrogantly, “Maháraj! why do you remain naked like monkeys?”
Maharaj Shri said very calmly, “If a thorn is pierced into the foot then it is removed with the help of another thorn. Our mind is also unsteady(restless) so it is necessary to accept nakedness like monkeys in order to check its unsteadiness. The mind remains in control by nakedness.
Hearing this touching
reply with logical words he was much impressed and became a perfect devotee of Achharya Shri.
Hurtful speech is a thorn. Removing the thorns of hurting words with sweet words is the nature of the saint.