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

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if you maintain chastity and purity without a sense of propriety then your tapascharya, charity and your worship of the Lord will be like poison because you do not observe the principles of propriety. You have to learn by yourself the sense of propriety. At least, you must have this sense. Without sense, how can you carry out spiritual austerities? Those who do not have sense but who carry out spiritual austerities cannot observe the principles of propriety. Let me mention some examples:
THE WAY OF LIFE
A gentleman goes to the temple and worships the Lord but he does not salute the sadhus and does not entreat them to receive Bhiksha from his house. He treats the indigent near the temple with contempt.
Another gentleman salutes the sadhus and gives Bhiksha to them when they visit his house but he does not worship the Lord and he does not give charity or alms to the indigent or the needy.
Another gentleman worships the Lord and gives charity to the needy and the indigent but he does not extend hospitality to guests (athithis).
All these are examples of a breach of the principles of propriety. These three duties are essential for all householders. They bring glory to the life of a grihastha. If you worship the Lord in your house, if you extend hospitality to guests and if you give alms and food to the needy and the indigent then your home deserves commendation. You will be commended by society and cultured people. You can carry out these three duties in accordance with the principles of propriety only when three auspicious emotions arise in your heart:
1. A profound feeling of love and devotion for the Paramatma.
2. A deep regard for sadhus. You must think thus, "These sadhus adore and pursue the path of moksha". That means you must love and adore the path of moksha.
3. A heartfelt compassion for the needy and the indigent.