Way of Life Part 1

Author(s): Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana

Page 33

DISCOURSE 2
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he has desired. People try to understand the way to do some work and how it should be carried out, if it can bring some profit, but perhaps they do not think of this point whether that work is noble or ignoble. It is so because their eyes are fixed on the fruit of the work; their eyes are fixed on the aim of earning profit. Realising this truth about human nature, the great author of the Grantha explains to his readers, the benefit or the fruit that they may get by acting according to dharma.
धनदो धनार्थिनां प्रोक्तः कामिनां सर्वकामदः ।
धर्म एवापवर्गस्य पारम्पर्येण साधकः ॥ Do you wish to know the fruit of dharma ? You please say what you desire. Do you desire wealth ? Dharma can give you wealth.
Yes. Wealth can be obtained from Dharma
Do you desire the pleasures of the five senses? Do you desire the best beauties and pleasures of the five senses - the delights of colour, sound, taste, smell and touch ?
Dharma gives you these delights. Go on, tell us what pleasures you desire.
Do you desire the divine delights of the heavenly world ? Do you desire to become a heavenly being ? The so called desire of the moth for the star ? The Dharma can give you the divine delights of the heavenly world. Surely, it can.
Well, let us say you do not desire these delights. Do you desire the bliss of deliverance? Do you desire the endless, infinite, imperishable and ineffable bliss of Moksha (salvation)? Those felicities can be attained. Dharma can give you those delights; and only Dharma can. Except Dharma, nothing else can give you the sublime delight of salvation.
Those who value wealth and worldly enjoyments may be surprised to hear this. Those in whose lives wealth and worldly prosperity are everything; and sensual delights are all in all, will not find it easy to turn towards Dharma. It is not an easy