Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 57

DISCOURSE 27
45
should see in which season you should not carry on business. Do you understand this point? You should not carry on business or an occupation during the rainy season. The rainy season is the ideal time for performing spiritual austerities. During this season, you must suspend your business or occupation.
From the Audience : How can business be suspended for the four months of the Chaturmas ?
Maharajashri : Why? If you suspend your business during that period, will you become penniless? Is that the condition ? Yes. Those who are carrying on some profession or employment and are supporting their family cannot suspend their work for four months but those who have got lakhs of rupees or enormous wealth will not die of hunger if they suspend their business for four months. But the desire for wealth is deep-rooted in your hearts. The ocean of cupidity is full. You need not close your shop for four months. The shop may be kept open. If you do not go to the shop, cannot the business continue in your absence? Do you know that Kumarpal, the great king of Gujarat never went to the court during the four months of the Chaturmas ? During that season, he used to go to the temple to worship the Paramatma and he used to go to the Paushadshala to have a darshan of the Gurudev and to offer salutations to him. He never went to any other place during that season. Yet the administration of the entire Gujarat continued. Have you got to administer the whole of your city? You have to run only a few shops or a few factories.
From the Audience : We do not have so much wealth but we may acquire it by your grace.
Maharajashri : That means, you want my grace for the increase of your wealth and for the increase of your shops. Do you want to acquire wealth by my grace? Do you want my grace to increase your sins ? Do not desire or ask for not only my grace but the grace of any sadhu or saint, for such purposes. You ask for grace to get rid of your attachment for your house and shops. At least, if your attachment decreases a little, you will go to your shops only after performing the daily spiritual austerities. Some people do not attend the discourses because