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 96

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THE WAY OF LIFE
destroy our karmas. Dharma is the name given to those mental propensities and thoughts by means of which we can gather punyakarma and can destroy our sinful karmas.
Some utterances of ours are such that by means of them we acquire punyakarma (merit); some utterances of ours are such that by means of them, we gather sinful karmas; and there are some utterances by means of which our karmas are destroyed. Those utterances by means of which we can acquire punyakarma; and destroy our karmas are called Dharma.
There are certain activities of the senses, that is, of the body, by means of which we can acquire punyakarma; some by means of which we gather sinful karmas; and some (kayasthiratha) by means of which we can destroy our karmas. Dharma is the name given to those activities of the senses (the body) by means of which we can gather punyakarma; and destroy our karmas.
Man attains progress by the efficacy of the Punyakarma he has acquired in his previous life (Purvajanma) by means of the activities that are righteous (or according to Dharma). The man who has acquired punyakarma in his previous life (purvajanma) attains in this life prosperity, health, a good family, fame and other such physical and materialistic enjoyments. If man acquires merit (punyakarma) in this life, he will attain progress and happiness in his future lives as a result of those punyakarmas when they emerge to the surface and produce their effects in his future lives.
When all the karmas are totally destroyed, man attains Nishreyas or salvation. By means of Tapascharya (spiritual austerities) we can destroy all our karmas. The spiritual austerities that are carried out with equanimity destroy karmas. There should be no avarice; and there should be no temptation for any mundane benefit in the performance of those austerities. "If I perform these spiritual austerities, I will be honoured in my family and in society. I will attain wealth and prosperity. I will get children .... etc" The austerities performed with such ulterior motives do not destroy karmas.