Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 22

where they discuss the philosophical topics, where they deliberate about the principles, and where they contemplate over the issues relating to liberation.
Some one may point out that there could be some deceptive person even in a wholesome contact. There is, however, no wholesome contact, where there is deception or selfishness. A crow in the assembly of swans would be surely exposed by its cawing, if not by appearance; it cannot remain unnoticed. Moreover, what would the self-interested people do by going to a wholesome contact? There would not be the talk of filling the belly! By going there if one moves from his selfishness even for a while, it would be welcome; thereby he would get a taste of blissful impact. If he does not gain any impact, he would not go there again.
As it is not possible to float over the earth, it is impossible to get drowned by wholesome contact; that is the miraculous part of wholesome contact. Why would a deceptive person go to such an innocent contact? That would be very rare, be almost impossible. Wholesome contact is the most beneficial medication for soul.
Lesson 25: Restraining the desire to get more
One, who does not lay limitation on possessions, cannot feel happy. Whatever he gets is found less, because the more he gets, the more his desire grows. On account of the craze for more not only does he fail to avail what he has, but he may also lose what he has gained. Craze for more possessions leads to unsteadiness of mind and sinful mode. If life comes to the end in such a mode, one would be destined to a lower state of existence.
Giving up of all sorts of possession is possible only in monastic order; while the laymen can lay limitations thereon. By laying limitations one would not try to accumulate beyond the limits laid and he may also cease to have an inclination to get in excess thereof. Moreover he feels contented with his possessions There is something strange with wealth etc. that the more one gets, the more he desires. One, who gets in the grip of accumulating instinct, finds it hard to be free from it, even if he may have some knowledge and firm belief in religion; the tendency stays within that instinct. Such a tendency cannot lead to happiness, nor can it be beneficial to soul. Those, who have not restrained that tendency, have been subject to much unhappiness.
Those, who conquer and establish their authority over six continents of Bharatkshetra (India), are called Chakravarties (Sovereign rulers). There had been one such ruler named Subhoom. Having conquered the six continents he was considered a Chakravarty; but he did not feel contented and thirsted for more. As such, he decided to conquer six continents of Dhätakikhand. He thought, 'Where is my distinctive status, if I have the authority over six continents of Bharatkshetra like other Chakravarties? If I conquer twelve, I shall be known forever; I shall be able to exercise the authority over twelve continents till the end of my life.
With that idea he laid his Charmaratna (Miracle vehicle) in the sea. The safety of Chakravarti's entire army depends upon it and 1000 heavenly beings are supposed to hold it. One of them thought, 'God knows when I shall come back from this duty, let me go and see my beloved.' Therefore he left; another one also left with the same idea. Similarly all of them left one after another. As such, when Subhoom laid Charmaratna in the sea, there was no one to hold it. Consequently Subhoom and his entire army along with the horses and elephants got drowned in the sea. Since Subhoom died with a thirsting desire, his soul migrated to the pitch dark seventh infernal abode.
See! Leaving the authority over six continents the Chakravarty died in a terrible state on account of his lust for more possessions; what to talk of others? Accumulative instinct is the root cause of all sins; it is the source of sin and can render other eleven restraints faulty. Those seeking the true benefit should avoid it and stay within limitation to the extent possible.