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VIRTUOUS LIVING - FOR THAT SPRING OF LIFE
abstinence, accumulation with charity, and tension with calmness. Who can doubt the efficacy of such a spiritual union of the two souls, when all the most powerful psychic forces of both husband and wife are directed towards one common end, when they both work in one direction for the realization of their most closely connected and united interests? It is in respect of such marriages hat one says: "Marriages are made in heaven; those whom God has joined let no man put asunder.” (Mark, x. 9). Before we close this chapter, a question must be answered, and that is: What benefits would virtues accrue to us?
learnt in the previous chapter that our wicked activities, of body, speech and mind, engender negative or harmful karmic matter to the soul, and virtuous activities are responsible for bringing in positive karmic matter. That makes it clear that we earn punya (merit) through our virtuous activities. As per the scriptures:
Virtues such as equanimity, freedom from greed, and rendering help to all, especially the devout, the young, the old and the needy, lead to the influx of karmas causing pleasant, joyous feelings.
Natural mildness in disposition - austerity, and feeble emotions and passions - leads to the influx of karmas causing birth as human and celestial beings.
Truthfulness, honesty and candour cause the influx of auspicious physique-making karmas.
Praise of others and censure of self, proclaiming qualities in others and concealing existent qualities in self, humility and modesty, lead to the influx of karmas which bring about high status.
Virtues, thus, lead to happy results in many ways; and vice and depravity to all that is unpleasant, undesirable and painful.
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