Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 63

DISCOURSE 28
be always deeply worried. He was always anxious and fearful. He was afraid of thieves and robbers. Where there is fear, there is worry; where there is fear, there is sorrow. The people of the town also knew that Lakshmidas had amassed a lot of money by dishonest means. Lakshmidas' moral stature dwindled in the eyes of the people. Noble people did not even think of Lakshmidas as a member of their society.
From the Audience : But in this age, only a rich man is considered noble. Nobody cares for a man's spiritual or moral stature or excellence. In society, only rich men are given high honour.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW-A-DAYS ?
Maharajashri : Is it right? Is society right in honouring rich people who are dishonest, ignoble and unrighteous ? Ethical values are deteriorating in our society. What the majority does is not right though it is done by the majority. “All people are dishonest so we too are dishonest. Now-a-days, we cannot get on by honest means. Now-a-days, dishonesty has cropt into all kinds of business and occupations. Corruption is widespread". You think thus and without any anxiety you continue your corrupt practices. If in our society, ethical excellence is not appreciated and admired and if spiritual excellence is not adored; common people would not be attracted towards ethical and spiritual excellence. If our society admires and honours only rich people, common people would be tempted to acquire only wealth. The craze for prestige is stronger than the craze for wealth. Man desires honour and prestige in society and so man endeavours to attain that which is honoured by society. Now-a-days, rich men who are dishonest are honoured in society; therefore, common people do not hesitate to adopt dishonest means. It is not true to say that, in olden days, there was no dishonesty. Even in olden days, some were honest and some dishonest. Now-a-days, of course the situation is that we have to search for honesty in people. It is a great good fortune if we find one or two honest people in a lakh of people now-a-days. In that town, there were dishonest people like Lakshmidas and there were also honest people. The honest