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The study of Vaitaliya considers material things as its refuge. Illustrating this point, it says: A being devoid of knowledge thinks that wealth, animals, and family members will be useful for worldly enjoyment and consumption. I will earn wealth and support them, eliminating all troubles and destroying them. In reality, the body for which wealth and prosperity are desired is perishable - fleeting, the fool does not know this. It is said that wealth and prosperity are inherently fickle and unstable, and this body is mortal due to illness and old age - disease and old age destroy it. How long can the relationship between these two transient things last? Mother and father have been in countless births. Sons and wives have also been hundreds of times. This happens in every birth. Who is really whose mother and who is the father? The Agamkar says the same thing again: In the world, wealth etc. can never protect anyone. When a being falls into hell, overwhelmed by attachment etc., there is no refuge anywhere, no one can save him.
**17. When suffering comes to a being, or when he is about to die, he goes alone to the next world. Therefore, the wise do not consider anyone as their refuge.**
**Commentary:** This is what was said before: When suffering arises from the ripening of unwholesome karma accumulated in the past, the being experiences it alone. Neither relatives nor wealth can do anything. Thus, it is said: "A sick person lies in the midst of his family, but he suffers alone. Can his family cure his disease or destroy it?" Or, when a being's lifespan is about to end due to the causes of death, or when he is about to die, he goes alone to the next world. The wise, who know the true nature of the world, do not consider anyone as their refuge, even for a moment. Why? Because no one can truly protect them. Thus, it is said: "A being's birth, death, and good and bad destinies in the cycle of existence are all his own. Therefore, he must work for his own benefit in the present moment." "One alone performs karma, and one alone experiences its fruit. One alone is born, one alone dies, and one alone goes to the next world."
The Agamkar explains this fact.
When suffering comes to a being due to the ripening of unwholesome karma accumulated in the past, he alone experiences it. At that time, wealth, riches, or family members cannot help him in the least. Therefore, it is said: "A sick person, afflicted by disease, lies among his family members, but he suffers alone. Can his family cure his disease or destroy it?"