Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 68

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THE WAY OF LIFE
All the wealth that Lakshmidas had earned dishonestly and illegally was lost. He thought that his wealth was safe in the cemetery. But how could that wealth be safe? The wealth that had been earned by dishonest and illegal methods could not be safe. Yes. It could not remain safe even with the robber. He too could not keep it safe. It was ill-gotten wealth; you see. Of course, for sometime, he was feeling happy and contented. But his happiness was short-lived. One day, Lakshmidas went to the cemetery with the desire of seeing his wealth. He was greatly stunned and shocked to see that there was no need to dig open the hole. The pit was open. The vessel had been taken away. Lakshmidas began beating his head and weeping bitterly. He went to his house and he began to curse his son. He began to curse himself, "What a fool I was ? I got that fellow's nose cut off. Yes. I should have got his throat cut off. If his throat had been cut, this calamity would not have befallen me. Surely, that fellow whose nose is cut off has robbed my wealth”.
IMMORALITY AND UNLAWFULNESS MAR BOTH THE JANMAS
The wealth that has been earned illegally and immorally fills a man with sorrow in both his janmas; his present life and his future life. In this life, such a man has to face disgrace, punishment, worry and on account of the effect of the sin, he will have to experience sorrows in his next life. If a man acquires wealth, by lawful, fair and honest means, his present life would be happy and he will be happy in his next life also. The man who earns money by lawful and honest means will be honoured in society, he will have peace of mind and felicity and he will be fearless. Nobody will suspect him and say, "This fellow has ill-gotten wealth; he has grabbed and swallowed someone's wealth" etc.
If you earn money by honest, fair and lawful means, you can enjoy that wealth with a fearless mind. There can be no such happiness in this world as fearlessness. A fearless man is free from worries and agitations. The conscience and the thought-current of a man who is free from agitations are pure