Independence of Soul

June 21, 2008

Dear brother,

Bhakti is eternal.

Thank you very much for your firm statement.

I would like to bring some facts to your notice.

I am collecting some moral and spiritual stories/articles and sending the same mainly to bring out the values of our Sanathana Dharma. In doing so I am concentrating on the Morale and not considering the other matters if they are not hurting the feelings of others.

The story is of 2500 years old and that to prior to propagation of Jainism. The stories of King of Baghdad etc confirm that there was slavery in the olden days. Even about three decades back there were man pulled rickshaws in Metros and subsequently with the inspiration of independence those were stopped. There is still bonded labor, which is taken as a serious issue and steps are taken to eradicate. As such, I did not find any negation in the story and at the same time I am not contradicting your remarks.

With love and regards,

Sastry

--- On Fri, 6/20/08, Bhalchandra Thattey <tobhalgt wrote:

Bhalchandra Thattey <tobhalgtRe: Independence of Soulshaneeswara Cc: apbrahmins , delhindu , , usbrahmins , uskannada , vedicliteraturethesupremescience Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, 9:21 AM

There was no slavery in India at the time of Mahavir

On 6/20/08, Dr.B.G.Y Sastry <drbgysastry@ > wrote:

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

-- Bhalchandra G. ThatteyShubham BhavatuSvalpasya Yogasya Trayate Mahato Bhayat