Jaipur. “The life we show to the world and the life we actually live are not always the same,” said Ganini Pramukh Aryika Ratna Jin Devi Mataji while delivering a discourse during a religious congregation at Shri Mahavir Digambar Jain Temple in Sethi Colony, Jaipur, on Saturday.
Jin Devi Mataji, who is observing Chaturmas at the temple, said that one of the biggest ironies of human life is that people often want to appear the way they wish others to see them, rather than accepting themselves as they truly are. This, she said, is where the tendency of showing off begins.
She said that people today have become excessively concerned about how others perceive them, what people think about them and what their image is in society. Gradually, their real life gets pushed into the background while a life of appearances takes centre stage.
“Showing off is a veil that begins by deceiving oneself even before it deceives others,” she said.
Mataji observed that mobile phones and social media have further intensified this tendency. People often share only the happy moments and attractive pictures of their lives, creating an impression that they are always happy and prosperous. However, the reality may be quite different, as a smiling photograph may conceal inner worries and distress.
She said people sometimes choose expensive clothes, mobile phones, cars and lavish celebrations not for comfort or genuine need, but to impress others and display their prosperity. There is nothing wrong with possessing such things, she said, but the problem begins when displaying them becomes the primary purpose.
“True prosperity lies not in material possessions, but in contentment of the mind,” she said.
Jin Devi Mataji further said that the biggest loss caused by a life of appearances is that a person becomes so focused on impressing others that they eventually forget themselves. Instead of trying to become better than others, people should focus on becoming better versions of themselves.
She emphasised that a person possessing genuine virtues does not need to display them. Humility does not require an outward show, compassion does not need publicity, and truth speaks for itself without promotion.
She urged devotees to remove unnecessary masks from their lives and have the courage to remain true to themselves. Rather than seeking greatness in the eyes of others, people should strive to become worthy in the eyes of their own conscience.
“Showing off may impress people for some time, but truth wins their hearts for a lifetime,” she said.
She added that gold does not need a coating, fragrance does not need publicity, and a truly good personality does not require pretence. She urged people to live a life of truth rather than appearances and to seek inner happiness before trying to impress the world.
According to Vinod Jain Kotkhawada, State General Secretary of Rajasthan Jain Yuva Mahasabha, Jaipur, the religious congregation began with the unveiling of a religious image, ceremonial lamp lighting and Mangalacharan. Following Pad Pakshalan of Jin Devi Mataji, Jinvani was presented to her.
Temple president Deendayal Patni, vice-president Sunil Sethi, general secretary Dharmichand Kasliwal and treasurer Rakesh Mushraf, along with a large number of devotees, were present on the occasion.
The religious congregation concluded with Jinvani Stuti.