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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
The king was much pleased with the merchant to find his life thus mysteriously saved by him. The merchant was awarded Rs.
10,000.
Vastupal and Tejpal left for the forest to store underground their treasure of golden coins but they came across another treasure. This is the result of meritorious acts. Merits lead to wealth and the sins result in various calamities and fatal diseases. Look at the modern missiles and explosives. They can destroy millions of lives in a moment. The destiny leads to its respective kind of means which unfortunately lead to destruction.
After six months that merchant went to the astrologer once more and inquired about his stars. The astrologer gave the same reply: "You are still having very good luck. None can overpower you".
When he was about to enter the city through the city-gates he observed the king. The king usually used to ride a horse or an elephant. That day he was simply walking on foot accompanied by a few persons. The king saw the merchant and he proceeded to meet the merchant with joy but the merchant knocked him down with the consequence that the king started bleeding in the teeth. The king's companions rushed to smach out the merchant when the old gate of the city crumbled down. The king and his companions were saved. The king realised that his life was rescued thrice by that merchant so he awarded him half the kingdom. Wrong effort leads to the favourable results. This is the power of highly meritorious acts of the past.
IF MERITS ARE EXHAUSTED
If merits are exhausted, one's possessions are even lost. A trader had 66 crores of golden coins. One-third of his wealth was deposited underground by him. One-third was invested in his business of shipping and the rest he invested in money-lending business. One morning he learned that all his ships were drowned and he found coal from underground instead of his treasure; and his office premises caught fire which consumed all his accountpapers to ashes. When sinful acts are unfolded destruction and ruin prevail all-round.
