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DISCOURSE 43
273
"I should not become dejected and depressed in adversities, sorrows and agonies. I should not become elated and proud in prosperity and luxury". Do you entertain such a desire ? Probe your inner self. If you entertain such a desire, admire those great men. Praise such great men of the past and praise such great men of the present. If there is such a person in your family, praise him also. If there is such a great man among your friends and relatives, praise him also.
THE RIGHT WAY OF THINKING OF AN INCIDENT
Let us suppose that there is a family known to you. It is a wealthy and happy family. They had lots of money, a magnificent mansion and a car but unexpectedly they suffered a loss. They had to sell their bungalow and car. They lost all their wealth and began to live in a rented house. You have sympathy for that family. You went to meet them one day. When you went there, you were given a hearty welcome. You did not see either sorrow or helplessness or dejection in the face of anyone. When you spoke a few words of sympathy, the mistress of the house said, “In Samsar or life, such things happen. This is the game of Karmas. We are not at all in grief. Our spiritual activities are going on excellently”.
If on hearing those words, your heart swells with regard for them and for their equanimity, then you think that you have attained the virtue called शिष्ठ चरित प्रशंसनम or commending the virtues of noble people but after hearing her words, if you begin thinking in a different manner thus :
“They are grief-stricken and despondent, yet they speak of Dharma. See these great Dharmatmas. They are getting on with great difficulty; yet they make a pretence of being cheerful".
THE NEED FOR CHANGING YOUR WAY OF THINKING
If you think thus, you can never attain the capacity to retain your patience and equanimity in adversities. Retaining patience in adversities is a great virtue. It is a quality of a noble householder. Just as you should not become dejected in adver
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