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

Page 31

DISCOURSE 2
grantha explains the dharma and names it. The dharmatava by itself is mute and inarticulate, but the Grantha explains it; therefore, the grantha is beneficial and essential.
In this manner, after the invocation and after the statement of the subject, the explanation of its usefulness and a description of the connection between the Grantha and its subject matter, the author proceeds to describe the fruit of Dharma. He does not yet describe the nature of Dharma. But he describes its fruit. The great Acharya should have made a deep study of human psychology and this point makes itself evident. The nature of man is to expect some result for his endeavour. Whatever work he does, he poses this question to himself. "What is the fruit of this work? What is its usefulness? What do I get by doing it? What profit am I going to get from it?" Man decides in his mind that the work he does must bring a certain expected result, a good result. Only after that does he attempt to realise the nature of the work.
What profit do we get by acting according to Dharma ?
“Why should we act according to the dharma ? What profit do we get by performing spiritual activities ?” These questions will surely arise in the minds of intelligent people. Intelligent people do not do any work without thinking of the result it may bring. You consider all the activities of your life from this point of view. Think well and you will realize that all your activities have some purpose or the other. You take food and on account of this the pain of hunger disappears. Your hunger gets appeased. If food did not satisfy your hunger, you would not have eaten food at all. You drink water and by drinking water, the pain of your thirst for water disappears. You help others. Why? You render help to others because you are aware of its fruit. By means of giving donations, your fame increases, your good deeds bring merit to you or your lust for wealth decreases. So, you give donations. You perform the action of washing your clothes? Why? When you wash your clothes, they become clean and bright. This is the awareness of the result of your actions.