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When we are born, we bring nothing with us, and we shall carry with us nothing when we leave this world. Everything will be left here. Hence, why should one commit sin ? We know that wealth took Mamman Sheth to hell, but it took Shalibhadra to heaven. Wealth obtained by unfair means will be used by us in sinful acts, but that gained by fair means is spent in performing meritorious acts. We shall gain only what is destined for us, irrespective of our ceaseless striving to gain wealth by any means, fair or foul. We must earn money honesty in order to get also peace and happiness like Puniya Shravak, who though very poor, led a contented life and also offered hospitality to co-jains.
An Example of Puniya Shravak : Puniya Shravak used to get every day only 12 dokdas (1/100 part of a ruppee) by spinnig cotton yarn. He used to observe fast one day and host co-jain the next day out of what he could save by fasting. His wife also observed a fast one day and offered hospitality to another co-jain the next day. In this way, this couple managed to perform "Sadharmik Bhakti" every day. Once a certain God came in the form of a co-jain to test him. He was treated well. When he left the place he turned an in iron Pan in to a golden pan. The couple saw the golden pan, they threw it into a dust-bin as they would not keep a thing not belonging to them. They had vowed not to keep anything which was not earned by them by honest labour. Hence they had to spin more in order to purchase a new iron pan. When the God turned up again, Puniya politely express his inability to host him if the intention was to trouble him again by offering him temptation as he did once
Once in Samayik Puniya was puzzied to find out that he could not become calm as was usual. When he inquired of his wife he found out that she had brough home cow dung from outside and used it as fuel for cooking.
It shows that even a small lapse hurts one and also the need for ever remaining on guard to avoid falling a prey to unethical conduct. It highlights the importance of earning our bread by labouring for it honestly for our spiritual well being. For wealth follows meriorous deeds; fame follows charity, alms-giving; learning follows efforts and intellect follows (our) actions (Karmas).
As we will not earn more or less than what is ordained for us do what we may-it is useless to hanker after wealth by trying to
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