Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 3

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 189

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CHAPTER FIVE
emancipated even though still alive. But, is there any sign of emancipation on the head? What happiness, is there filled with love and hate, or originating in senseobjects, on account of which the happiness of blissful emancipation originating in contentment should be cast aside? Let persons whose eyes have been closed by the good counsels of the śāstras spoiled by the explanations of other people meditate on the happiness from a taste of contentment. If you regulate actions in accordance with their cause, then let the joy of emancipation produced by the joy of contentment be recognized. Whatever severe penance they call destructive of karma, they know all that is fruitless, if devoid of contentment.
What is the use of ploughing, service, taking care of cattle, and trade, on the part of persons seeking happiness? Pray, does not the soul attain emancipation from observing contentment? The happiness which the contented feel lying on beds of straw is not felt by the discontented though lying on cotton. Rich men, if dissatisfied, are like straw, compared with rulers. Rulers are like straw, compared with the satisfied. The happiness arising from the fortune of a cakrin, Sakra, et cetera, is only with effort and it is transitory. That happiness originating in contentment is without effort and it is permanent. So a wise man should resort to contentment, the abode of peerless happiness, to destroy greed, the abode of all faults. Thus the one whose passions are conquered, though in this world, shares the happiness of emancipation; but in the next world he certainly attains imperishable emancipation." .
After hearing this sermon by the Lord, many persons became mendicants. Hari attained right belief and Sīrabhịt became a layman. The Lord finished his sermon when the first watch was completed. Then Arista was made gaṇabhrt, occupying the Master's footstool. He finished a sermon at the end of the second watch. Then, after bowing to the Arhat, Sakra, Vişnu, Bala and the others went away. The Blessed Dharmanātha, adorned