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 A Cowherd Yesterday; A Shalibhadra Today Question :
Physical health and strong and agile senses are a boon of Punyakarma (merit) aren't they?
Answer:
How do we get merit or punyakarma ? What gives us that boon? How do we get the fruit of Punyakarma ? Is it by sinful behaviour or righteous conduct? Punyakarma gathers only by means of Dharma. What is the meaning of this? Whatever boon we get from Punyakarma is actually the boon of Dharma. The meaning of this is that we get a strong and healthy body, active senses and mind etc., apparently from punyakarma and actually from Dharma. What we have already attained is the fruit of dharma and what we are going to get in the future is also the fruit of dharma. It is only by means of dharma that worldly and sensual pleasures can be attained. Did not Shalibhadra attain worldly and sensual pleasures by means of dharma ?
Shalibhadra, an Epicureau lived during the time of Bhagwan Mahavir. Every day, he used to enjoy heavenly, sensual delights. He had 32 wives. He was so greatly immersed in sensual and physical pleasures that he had not even heard the name of Shrenik, the Emperor of Maghada in whose Empire and in whose city, he was residing. How did he attain such sensual delights? He obtained them from Dharma, by rendering charity to the deserving and the worthy. Shalibhadra in in his previous life was the son of a cowherd; he was very poor. One day he entertained the desire of drinking Khir (a preparation of milk, sugar, rice etc.) His mother somehow managed to secure from here and there some rice, milk and sugar and prepared the sweet dish called Khir. Having poured out the Khir into a plate for her son, she went out to fetch water. Just at that time, a great sage who was the embodiment of an extraordinary spiritual excellence came to beg for alms. The child who loved and respected the Muni, called him and gave him the Khir. He wept for that Khir and got it by weeping but gave