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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
267
proper cause instead of hundreds. The same amount you spent is going to return to you to your own coffers. But you cannot trust in your fate--In your Karmas !
The body-guards rushed up and drew out the sword but before the sword could touch his neck the entire situation changed due to the power of his merits earned in the foregone existence. A small venomous serpent was found creeping out of the crown which hustled down. The king felt deeply indebted to the merchant, as, but for the merchant's act the king would have lost his life. The body-guards were stopped from proceeding on the spot and the minister was ordered to award five villages to the merchant.
If one has full faith in one's merits, then such benefits are earned.
Question : What is more powerful, Fate or Efforts ? Reply : Effort moulds fate or luck.
Fate or destiny prevails in achieving temporal objects earned by Karmas contracted but efforts are more essential for annihilating Karmas previously earned and for earning merits in meritorious manner. Efforts should not be abandoned in earning religious merits. In every thought or action one should be vigilent to see whether it concurs with the preachings of the Lord Tirthamkara.
That merchant wanted to test his luck. His adverse efforts resulted in favourable fruits, then why should you not make the right effort having relied on your fate ?
The influence of Karma is apparently established by the result it bears. Some name it "fate", "luck" or "destiny" while the others call it “unseen" or the "impressions of the past Karmas”.
After sometime, that merchant returned to the astrologer and asked him: “Well, How are my stars now?” The astrologer perusing the almanac said: “Your stars are powerful. Nothing can dupe you”.
The merchant returned to the royal court once more. He was honoured by the king but he dragged the king with his legs and pulled his down. All the members in the assembly were shocked with surprise. The soldiers ran to crush down the merchant but just then the wall behind the royal throne crumbled and fell down.
