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Chapter Harmony and Straightforwardness
Many people aspire to gain heavenly abode, salvation or liberation. But that cannot be attained simply by desiring; one has to cultivate the attributes required for that purpose. As one rises on the ladder of such attributes, he would experience an increasing level of pleasure. In these chapters, we have so far considered the attributes of serenity, well-built body, soothing disposition, popularity, kindness and shyness to commit sin. The next attribute for our consideration is straightforwardness or absence of cunningness.
A cunning man has always an evil motive in what he does. Not only do his eyes and movements are deceptive, his smiling or lamentation also happen to be deceptive. His smile will have a purpose and could be dangerous; he cries when he intends to gain something by raising compassion in the mind of the person concerned. The deceptive man never discloses his mind; whatever he shows is to fool others. People call it diplomacy. One may seem to be winning the game thereby, but he actually becomes a loser.
It is therefore necessary to lead a straightforward life, devoid of cunningness. Upadhyay Yashovijayji has said that while taking simple food, 'observing austerities and staying unclad, if one holds deception in mind, he will have to take innumerable births. It is therefore wrong to harbor deception in mind; whatever one does, should be free from
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