Way of Life Part 4

SR No.: 006516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 17 MB

Page 104

94
THE WAY OF LIFE
tual austerities; nor will you enjoy any domestic peace or felicity.
WHITHER ART THOU GOING?
THINK OF THIS
A certain gentleman while recollecting and reviewing his blunders of his past life, said, "In my youth, I used to spend all my time endeavouring to acquire wealth. I had enough wealth to carry on my existence. But I had the ambition of becoming a multimillionaire. I had offices in Bombay, Madras and Ahmedabad. I used to spend twenty days every month in travelling from place to place. My wife used to tell me, "Do not travel much. If you are not at home, I cannot have peace of mind." But I did not pay heed to her words. She could not derive sensual pleasures from my company. Her sensual desires increased. She developed intimacy with some other man. I was her husband only in name. This went on for some years. Of course, I used to be entangled in my business always. I used to give my wife as much money as she needed. I never thought of this, "What may be the mental state of my wife? Do not sensual desires arise in her mind? What does she do when sensual desires arise in her mind? I stay away from home for days and days". But one day, I went home unexpectedly. I saw my wife with the other man. That man quietly went away on seeing me. I was silent for a while. My wife also was silent. In the night, after meal, I sat in my room; my wife came and sat near me. She fell at my feet and began weeping bitterly. She confessed to me that she had illicit intimacy with that man and promised me that she would not commit such a blunder again. I fell into deep thoughtfulness. After a while, I said to her, "I committed a blunder first by neglecting you. Your blunder is the consequence of mine. In my obsession to amass wealth, I forgot you. On account of my busy engagements, I forgot even sensual pleasures. was not agitated by sensual cravings at all; and I did not think of you also". Then I closed my offices in Madras and Ahmedabad. I began living in Bombay. My wife was happy. But I have been the cause for my wife's sinful action. I am very sad about it. Kindly, suggest some atonement to me and purify me".