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14.
THE WAY OF LIFE
try to cause troubles to others, you will be binding yourself with sinful karmas.
IN THE KING'S COURT
The four officers sent by the king entered the house of the merchant, Ded. Ded was about to take his meal. The officers said, "You may take your food later. First come to the palace. His highness wants to see you, at once”.
Even without taking his food, Ded accompanied the officers. The king without any formalities of reception, asked him, “Ded! people have been saying that you have found some secret treasure in your lands. Is this true ?”
On hearing this question of the king, Ded understood the situation fully. He gave a calm reply.
"Your Highness ! I humbly appeal to you not to believe these rumours you have heard. How can I get such a good fortune as finding a treasure ? Oh Lord ! what people have told you is not true. Some enemies pretending to be friends must have given you this false information”.
The king said, “Ded! do not adopt deceptive tricks. Stop your deception and speak the truth. I know the character of merchants".
Ded thought, "Henceforth, I should not live in this kingdom I will go away from here at once. We should give up the place where calamities arise”.
You should discard the time and place which are not congenial to you and which are not convenient to you. This is the twenty second ordinary principle of the Grihasthadharma. If a man acts according to this principle he can escape from disasters in this world and in the other world.
This is enough for to-day.
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