Istopadesa The Golden Discourse

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp

Page 67

Iṣṭopadeśa - The Golden Discourse
cınızı serà fanufanı: ufurifa u: 1 स्वशरीरं स पङ्केन स्नास्यामीति विलिम्पति ॥
The poor man who accumulates wealth so as to be able to spend it in future on virtuous activities, like giving of gifts, is like the man who deliberately soils his body with mud thinking that he will clean it later on by bathing.
(16)
EXPLANATORY NOTES
The process of money-earning involves activities - of the mind, the speech and the body - and passions. Activities and passions cause bondage of karmas. As we desire something intensely we become passionate and, as a consequence, anger, pride, deceitfulness, and greed, stream out. Due to passions we indulge in many kinds of sinful activities including hurting others, telling lies, stealing, unchaste conduct, and excessive attachment to worldly objects. We play tricks upon others, speak what is not true or laudable, use wrong weights and measures, pry upon others' faults or weaknesses, promote dissatisfaction in others, subvert laws, rules and regulations, and become slack in the observance of vows. A large heap of evil karmas is thus engendered while we engage ourselves in the money-earning process.
50
If we entertain the idea of 'owning' an object, we become anxious not to lose it; fear sets in, and we must resort to safeguarding the object. Fear paralyzes healthy action, generates worry, and is exceedingly pernicious to life. Fear is the antithesis of self-composure, and the cause of cowardice and terror. In