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DISCOURSE 39
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Will you pay heed to this exhortation? You should act according to this exhortation if you do not want to court physical, mental and financial ruin. You must accept and act upon this advice if you want to live without fear and worry. BE CAREFUL NOT TO DEVELOP INTIMACY WITH OTHER WOMEN
The third principle relates to the question of developing intimacy with other women. You should not develop friendship or attachment or love for a woman who is not your wife. There are many great dangers on this path. Now-a-days, men prefer other women to their wives. Man's mind is becoming extremely distorted and polluted. Of course, the change in the life-style of people is greatly responsible for this but if a man wants to save himself from many disasters and dangers, he must change his way of life.
From the Audience : At least, we can be friendly with other women. Is it wrong?
Maharajashri : Is there a famine for friends among men ? Cannot your wife be a friend to you? Do not get caught in such nooses. Be wise, otherwise, you will be entangled in the tangle of agitations. Never look at another woman.
From the Audience : In offices, men have to converse with women who are also employees there.
Maharajashri : Besides conversing with them, what are the various other things they have got to do? You please tell me. To which further point do these conversations lead ? What will happen when your wife comes to know of your friendship with another woman ? Will there be unhappiness or not? Would it not lead to unhappiness and quarrels? It is possible that the husband of that woman may send her or you to the kingdom of Yama, the god of death. He would kill her or you. SPIRITUAL AUSTERITY WITHOUT SERENITY; AN IMPOSSIBILITY
In a certain city, a gentleman used to come regularly to hear my discourses. One night, he came to me and narrated to
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