Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

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THE WAY OF LIFE
Shukladhyan. In its countless lives, what has not your soul experienced ? It has attained the bliss of heavenly existence countless times. But it has not attained the auspicious and pure assiduity which can destroy all Karmas. You have not attained the thoughtfulness that causes the unfolding of the virtues of the soul.
DISCRETION IS ESSENTIAL EVEN IN UNDERTAKING A VOW FOR AN AUSTERITY
You should always live in contact with such causes as inspire in you lofty and sublime thoughts and contemplations. When such contemplations arise in the mind, they also render one's life pure and noble. Impurities naturally disappear from one's life. The Chief Minister Pethad Shah deemed that presentation as a cause of that kind. Every day, he used to have a Darshan of that object. He was not wearing those clothes. Once his wife asked the Chief Minister, "My lord, why do you not wear the clothes that have been sent to you as a gift?” The Chief Minister said, “This presentation is sent to be used by a celibate person. I am not a celibate person; so, I cannot wear those clothes". The noble lady was lost in thought for sometime and then said, “My lord, do you wish to undertake a life of celibacy?” Pethad Shah said, "When you decide upon such a thing, I too will undertake the vow of celibacy, along with you. I wish to know your opinion.” What a lofty idea the Chief Minister had ! He did not want to undertake the vow of celibacy until his wife also decided to undertake the same vow. Without undertaking a vow he could not give up his sexual pleasures, but he did not want to undertake the vow of celibacy without the consent of his wife. He did not tell his wife, “I want to undertake the vow of celibacy. If you like it, you too may undertake it. I am at any rate undertaking the vow. You may do what you like". He did not speak thus indifferently. If he spoke thus, his wife might have thought in a contrary manner. If you want to include others-relatives or friends - in your spiritual austerities, you must have a strong desire to do so; and you must somehow try to prevail upon them to join you, in your austerities by showing them the proper way.