Way of Life Part 3

SR No.: 006515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 348
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 18 MB

Page 278

266
THE WAY OF LIFE
EVEN SERVICE TO FAMILY IS SERVICE TO SOCIETY
From the Audience:
Is it proper for a person to neglect his family; and to render service to society or to the nation?
Maharajashri : No. It is not proper. Charity begins at home. Is your family different from society? Is it not a part and parcel of society? Is not service to family, service to society ? Is your family different from your nation? If you neglect your family, it amounts to neglecting your nation. Do you know why some people neglect their families and go forward to render social service? There they get honour and prestige. Who will honour them at home? The desire for honour and fame is very strong in man; is it not?
In the past, when men were careless regarding their families, the women in those families used to look after the affairs of their families. But, for the last two or three decades, even women have been changing. We find that at present, even women are negligent towards their families. They seem to think that rendering service to their families is a kind of slavery. They think that they have freedom if they can go to clubs, parties and can become members of women's associations. What is to be done? If you can realize the gravity of the situation and bring about some reform, it will be good. You must discard your imitative propensity. Your attitude towards your families must change. The situation is greatly upset; but still it is not impossible to bring about some reformation in this sphere. If things go on thus for a few more years, it will be impossible to bring about any reformation.
The author of Dharmabindu, the great Acharya has mentioned some methods by means of which people can organise their family life in a proper manner and can secure worldly and the other-worldly welfare for the members of their family. I feel that these methods are practicable even in the present day because they refer to the actual life of people. But in bringing about reformation in their families people may have to face some difficulties. But you must bring about reformation bearing with those difficulties. The elders in the family must make some sacrifices for the welfare of their family.