Way of Life Part 2

SR No.: 006514
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 362
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 18 MB

Page 253

DISCOURSE 41
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life permeated with Dharma. Carrying out a few austerities in life; giving away something in charity at some time; performing some tapas now and then; observing the vows of a few vratas etc. constitute what is called carrying out Dharma, in one's life. But if you want to live according to Dharma, you must earn money only in an honest, legal and moral way. There should be no injustice; there should be no immorality; and there should be no dishonesty or deception. If you want to live according to Dharma, the propriety of marriage is a necessity. If you desire to live according to Dharma the way of your life must be free from addictions and ignoble actions.
ADHERENCE TO PRESCRIPTIONS ESSENTIAL
To-day, the fourth principle of the Grihasthadharma has to be dealt with. It is the principle of life relating to speech. You should not condemn anyone; and you should admire and praise the noble actions of cultured men. You must also praise the character of noble and cultured people. You should not condemn and calumniate those who are ignoble, impure; and uncultured; and you should praise those who are noble, pure and cultured. What an important point does the great author mention! Your duty does not end with discarding the food that harms the body. Just as it is essential to discard injurious and harmful food, it is also essential to adhere to the prescriptions relating to eating even wholesome food! In order to keep the body free from diseases it is necessary to discard harmful food; and to acquire physical strength and agility, it is essential to conform to the prescriptions relating to even wholesome food. In order to save yourselves from evils, you must discard the tendency of condemning others; and in order to attain good results, “praise" is essential -- praising not yourself but others who are virtuous and cultured.
CHARACTER HAS TWO ASPECTS; THE ASPECT OF VIRTUE; AND THE ASPECT OF ACTION
You should not praise anyone except the noble and the cultured. That means the subject of your conversation must be the character of cultured people. The character of the noble