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DISCOURSE 39
213 THE DHARMA FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
The ordinary principles of the grihasthadharma are connected with every activity of the life of a grihastha. The ordinary grihasthadharma is not meant to be practised in temples and Upashrayas but it is meant to be practised in your daily life, in your domestic life, in your house, in your shop, in the market, in your family and in your dealings with your friends and relatives. The man who properly practises the principles of the ordinary grihasthadharma can keep off countless calamities and agonies. That man who desires to live peacefully and happily must free himself from calamities and agonies. He must live keeping off calamities.
Difficulties are of various kinds. They may be financial, domestic, social, political, physical or mental and psychological ones. Any kind of difficulties may arise in Samsar. You must be careful and sensible in your actions, so that you may not be caught in any difficulty. This caution or discretion is called "fear” by the great author. You must have this kind of fear.
Some difficulties and calamities arise instantaneously; some arise in course of time and some in the future janmas. You must live carefully and avoid all these types of troubles and calamities. You should not do anything by doing which you will have to face difficulties that will surround you and ruin you. I will describe the sinful actions from which such difficulties and calamities arise. If you can keep yourself free from those sinful actions, your life can be totally free from all difficulties, I think you like a life without difficulties. Yes. Those who like a life torn by difficulties may not like my words.
INJUSTICE IS AN INVITATION TO ADVERSITY
First, we shall consider the question of illegal or illicit actions. Let us suppose that you have some power in your hands. It may be great or small or that you may be a man of affluence. If you are illegal or unjust in your dealings with others, you may also get some immediate benefit from such illegal actions; but some day or the other you will be caught in difficulties because all those people whom you have deceived
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