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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
385
who despite not observing any kind of religious mode of life are found happy enjoying social status and honour. But this is the result of meritorious acts. Now consider whether it is proper for you to exhaust your assets of meritorious deeds or to add to them.
You also know to what plight are reduced those who gradually consume their assets and do not make any addition to them. They have to strive hard for a penny and have to beg for money from their relatives and friends. Indeed their plight is very pitiable. On the other hand those who consume their assets and also add to them by bits find their assets unexhausted. Such people can enjoy happiness all throughout and can find their credit intact. The wise prefer this state and therefore it becomes incumbent duty of a man to earn religious merits daily and endeavour to increase his capital of merits thereby.
You remarked, nothing is lost by not earning religious merits. But we reply, a motor-car runs till the ignition fluid is there. Without petrol it stops working. In the same manner, man enjoys all worldly pleasures and comforts till his merits are not exhausted. No sooner are these merits exhausted than all these pleasures and comforts are put to end suddenly.
Do you doubt, “Till the merits prevail, prosperity continues indeed :
Light prevails till the oil exists?"
Gentleman ! All consume their life sooner or later, but that life is worth lived which is devoted to maximum in earning merits. Whose memories do vou cherish? Of the performers or non-performers of religious merits? Those who perform religious rites as prescribed are even respected by the Gods. Just study the tale of Sage Nandisena and vou will be convinced.
SAGE NANDISENA
Sage Nandisena was a great ascetic of self-denial. In course of time he became well-versed in the deep significance of the scriptures. He took a vow to serve the monks. He served the monks Bala, Shaikshaya, Glana etc. with unflinching devotion. His devotion in serving the monks became popular even in heavens.
