Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 41

DISCOURSE 26
The King has been offering me the position of Chief Minister. Shall I accept it or shall I request the King to offer the position to my elder brother ? Actually, the right to occupy the position belongs to my elder brother according to the convention of primogeniture. How can I accept a position of authority which rightly belongs to my elder brother ?”
. If he were to seek your advice thus, what would you tell him? You please tell me what advice you would give him. Why are you silent ? Would you not think of grabbing your brother's position, wealth, house and lands? Can you think about it? You are men of Dharma. How can you think thus ?
From the Audience: Kindly do not speak of us. We are ready to grab not only a brother's property and position but also the property and position of our daughters and mothers also, if we can get them.
Maharajashri : Have you thought about Shriyak's family and its nobility. Nobility lay in the very blood of their family. His brother might have been in the house of a dancer. What does it matter ? His authority and position should not be grabbed by others. Shriyak did not have any ill-feeling against his brother, Sthulabhadra. He had no feeling of abhorrence for him. On the contrary, he had great respect and love for his brother. He had great devotion for his brother. This was the reason why, when the two brothers met in the garden, Shriyak fell at the feet of his brother and narrated to him the entire story relating to the slaying of his father.
THE WAY TO MAKE AN UNWORTHY MAN WORTHY
Now let me answer your second question.
Sthulabhadra did not possess the merit and abilities necessary for the position of the Chief Minister. That is what you say; is that not so ? Your opinion is that Sthulabhadra was unfit for the position of Chief Minister because he had been in the house of a dancer for twelve years. Of course, Sthulabhadra rejected the offer and proved his worth but if he had accepted