Way of Life Part 2

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

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DISCOURSE 26
Maharajashri : You cannot become a man of affluence by pining for it and struggling for it. You must pine for nobility. You must desire to become noble and virtuous. Why do you want to become a man of affluence? Is it not to attain happiness? You believe that without wealth, there can be no happiness but you ask affluent men, whether they are happy? Does happiness increase with the increase in wealth? An affluent man lacking in virtues can never live happily and peacefully. I have come across many affluent people who are absolutely unhappy. They have wealth in abundance but they do not have happiness or peace. They do not have wholesomeness or felicity. They do not have firmness or patience. Then what is the use of that wealth? What is the use of that affluence ?
INTELLIGENCE LIES IN BECOMING VIRTUOUS
A poor but happy life is certainly better than an affluent but unhappy life. Poverty or prosperity is not of much importance. What matters is sorrow or happiness. A man of virtues can live happily even in a straw-hut. A man lacking in virtues will be unhappy even in a palatial house. A noble householder can be poor but he cannot be unhappy. One such noble householder lived during the time of Bhagwan Mahavir. His name was Puniya. He and his wife lived a life of perfect felicity in a small house. Puniya used to earn only so much as was necessary for existence. Even with that meagre income, he lived in contentment and every day he invited a guest to dine in their house. One day, the husband would fast and the next day the wife would fast. They continued thus fasting on alternate days to feed a guest. They used to fast voluntarily. They were living happily. They never complained of any unhappiness or sorrow. They never begged for any pleasure. Puniya was not a wealthy man but he was a man of great virtues. Bhagwan Mahavir praised Puniya greatly. Puniya had many virtues; so he was a noble householder. Intelligence also lies in becoming virtuous. In my opinion, only a man of virtues is a man of intelligence. Intelligence and expertness are essential to become virtuous. I am saying all this with the belief that you are men of intelligence. Understand?
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