Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 82

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THE WAY OF LIFE
When you are under the influence of the Papanubandhi merit, my well-meant exhortation may not appeal to you. An impure intellect cannot imbibe the words of enlightened people. Even true and well-meant words can appeal only to a pure mind. The Papanubandhi merit has polluted the minds of many people now-a-days.
AN INTERESTING DIALOGUE BETWEEN DRAUPADI AND BHISHMA
This is a story from the Mahabharata. Bhishma, the grand-father lay on the bed of arrows and was communicating his message to the Pandavas. Draupadi who was standing there laughed. Bhishma asked her: "Dear child, why are you laughing? What made you laugh?" Draupadi said, "There is no cause as such for my laughter". Bhishma said, "No child. If there is any reason for your laughter; please let me know it". When Bhishma continued to insist thus, Draupadi said, "Oh, revered Lord! You are our grand-father. When I listen to your advice, I remember again and again, how you remained silent when in the court of Duryodhana, I was disgraced and my saree was pulled away by Dushshasan. I wonder whether, all that an enlightened man like you can do is to preach. What is the use of preaching a precept which one cannot practise ? I laughed because I was struck by the hollowness of your message".
Bhishma said calmly, "Dear child, you have spoken the truth. Knowledge or enlightenment should not remain merely theoretical. It should not be used merely for shallow seromonising. Knowledge should result in action. It must reveal itself in the form of right conduct. I agree. At that time; when that terrific outrage was committed against you, in the open court of Duryodhana, I was aware of what was happening. I had knowledge but my mind had become polluted and my reasoning power had been paralysed by my association with Duryodhana and by eating the ignoble food that the wicked man gave me all these days. And so my knowledge could not manifest itself in the form of right action. I kept watching the horrid sight in utter stupefaction. But when, now, Arjuna's arrow pierced my