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DISCOURSE 32
115
From the Audience: We fear the sorrows of this life but we do not fear the sorrows of the other world.
Maharajashri: When you do not think of the other world at all, how can you think of the sorrows of the other world ? If you do not at all think of the other world, it will be impossible to get rid of your sins because the fruits of your sins specially will have to be tasted only in your future janmas. If your punyakarma produces its effect in the present life, you will not taste the bitter fruits of your sins here. By means of committing sins, some pleasures are experienced. Then why would man discard his sins? "If we commit sins, Papakarma binds us, and when that Papakarma emerges to the surface and brings about its effect, the jiva will have to experience anguish. The jiva can discard sinful actions only if he understands this theory and believes in it. The attainment of wealth by unjust and immoral methods is not a certainty but a spiritual disaster is a certainty. There is no doubt that unethical activities bring about painful consequences. They bring about a disaster. You should not think that a disaster means only, poverty or lack of money. Disasters can be of various kinds. The disasters that may come about are punishment by the government, appearance of diseases, the death of a member of your family, your own death, the danger of thieves and robbers. Countless are the disasters that can result from unethical actions. This incident actually took place in Bombay some years ago. I will narrate to you, whatever I heard about it.
IMMORALITY IS THE ROOT OF ALL CALAMITIES
There were two friends. One was a government official and the other was a broker in the jewellery-market. The one who was in service had a place to live in. He had a room in the Pydhoni extension. The broker had no place to live in. He used to take his meal in a hotel and used to sleep in the shops of some merchants who were related to him. But after taking his meal, in order to take a little rest, he would go to his friend's house. This was his daily routine. He was doing very well as a broker. He used to tell his friend everything about his busi
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