Religion
Religion is supremely auspicious. Its constituents are non-violence, self-control and austerity. Even the celestials revere him whose mind is always absorbed in Dharma.
Ten Characteristics of Dharma
Supreme forgiveness, humility, straight-forwardness, truthfulness, purity, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, detachment and continence—these are ten characteristics of Dharma.
Superiority of Restraint
Greater is he who restrains himself, though giving no alms, than he who gives at a time ten thousands of cows every month.
Island of Dharma
For living beings, who are floating on the currents of old age and death Dharma is the one and only island, the bed-rock, the refuge and the most excellent shelter.
When to Practise Religion ?
One should practise religion properly before old age creeps up, before he falls a prey to various diseases and before his senses become feeble.
Repentence by the Ignorant
As a cartman who intentionally leaves the smooth highway and gets on a rugged road, repents when the axle breaks, so the ignorant one, who transgresses the path of righteousness and embraces unrighteousness, repents at the time of his death over the broken axle of his life.
Fruitless Nights
The nights that pass will never return. They bear no fruit for him who does not abide by Dharma.
Fruitful Nights
The nights that pass will never return. They bear fruit only for him who abide by Dharma.
Rarity
Easily obtainable are the enchanting pleasures of the world and the affluence of the gods, easy also it is to get good sons and friends but difficult it is to beget Dharma.
Noble Householder
A noble householder is one who does not buy valuable goods at much below their cost price, does not take possession of lost properties and remains satisfied with reasonable profits.
Revered Women
There are many women in the world who are famous everwhere for their purity and chastity. They are like the goddesses on this earth and even revered by gods.
Real Ornaments
The real ornaments that enhance the beauty of a woman are chastity and modesty; the others are mere appendages.
Livelihood
Noble is that householder who earns his livelihood by fair means.
Wisdom
Recognise Dharma by wisdom and also ascertain the reality of things by it.
Support
One should always be prepared to give shelter to the shelterless and help to the helpless.
Ideal Wife
An ideal wife is one who helps the cause of Dharma, is absorbed in Dharma and shares her husband’s pleasure and pain equally.
Prosperity
May you prosper with the aid of knowledge, faith, conduct, austerity, forbearance and contentment.
Capital
Human birth is capital, proper utilisation of this capital begets heavenly world; improper utilisation engenders sub-human existence.
Compassion
Purity in compassion is Dharma.
A True Monk
A true monk is one who is not proud of his own lineage, beauty, gains and scriptural knowledge. Thus discarding all pride, he remains deeply immersed in the spiritual contemplation.
Who is Sramana ?
One does not become a monk merely by tonsuring, nor a Brahmana only by reciting the Onkara Mantra, nor a Muni by living in the forest, nor a hermit only by wearing clothes woven out of Kusa grass.
A Sramana by Equanimity
A person becomes a monk by equanimity, a Brahmana by practising celibacy, an ascetic by acquiring knowledge and a hermit by his austerities.
A Brahmana by His Deeds
According to one’s deeds, one becomes a Brahamana or a Ksatriya or a Vaisya or a Sudra.
Eyes of the Agamas
Unlike other persons, the slef-realised monk sees through the eyes of the Agamas.
