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Rays of Dharma
could not have developed it in the absence of the society. Think of the condition if we were born in wilderness; we would have become prey to some wild animal. Even if we could have been spared from that fate, we would have hardly learnt even to stand erect on two legs. Education, money-making or anything of that sort would have been impossible. How can then we justify spending the money made with the help of society exclusively for ourselves? Earlier the people used to keep in mind the obligation of the society and spend at least a part of their earning for social purposes. The society in turn gave them credit for that.
When we were born, we were crying while others were smiling; the wise men urge us to live in a way whereby we can court the death while smiling and others may be crying. The way consists of remembering the obligation of the society and living in its interest. When people cry at the time of someone's death, they do not do it for his physical loss, they do it because they miss the attributes of generosity, greatness etc. That indicates their sense of gratitude towards him. Gratitude normally consists of four aspects, viz. i) never forget what good someone has done to you, ii) do not remember the benevolence rendered by you, iii) forgive the ingratitude of others, and iv) sincerely atone for any ingratitude indulged by you.
In a village there was a woman named Gajarä. While she was once on a pilgrimage, her food was consumed away by a dog. Luckily a caravan arrived there and the merchant invited her to share the food. While eating, it remained in her mind how she would be in a position to discharge the obligation of the merchant. At the time of departure she gave him her name and address, and invited him to visit her place whenever possible.
Years passed by, but she could not see him at her door. After ten years while the merchant's caravan was passing by that village, someone complained that he was carrying stolen merchandise. He pleaded that he was the true owner, but the judge wanted someone to bear evidence thereof. That time he recalled the name of the village
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