Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 90

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THE WAY OF LIFE
firm determination and pursue the path of legality and morality. It is a pity that you desire to earn money by means of illegal and immoral methods and by illicit methods and it is a pity that you seek a fulfilment of that desire by worshipping gods and goddesses and praying to them. You also perform many magical rituals and recitations to achieve that purpose.
From the Audience: If you thus prohibit immoral and illegal ways and if we discard those methods, we cannot at all acquire money; then how can we carry on our existence ? How can we have any mental peace ? and how can we carry on any spiritual activities?
NOW-A-DAYS PEOPLE WANT TO BECOME AFFLUENT OVERNIGHT; INSTANT WEALTH IS THE RAGE OF THIS AGE
Maharajashri : You discard your illegal and immoral ways for sometime and see what kind of experience you get by that. You cannot realise it by means of imagination. You have also lost faith in legality and morality; and you have developed a strong faith in illegality and immorality. I assure you that you can earn your livelihood by legal and moral methods and if you pursue that path; you will have mental tranquillity and you will also be able to carry out spiritual austerities but do you want to earn money to support yourselves; only to carry on your existence ? Merely earning your livelihood is not your objective. Your objective is to become wealthy and affluent. You want to build a magnificent mansion; you desire to deck it with fascinating furniture worth a few lakhs; you need a couple of excellent cars; you need glittering and expensive garments; you need sparkling jewels and you desire honour and prestige in the world. All these things are impossible without your becoming affluent. The effect of punyakarma is essential if you should become affluent. If punyakarma does not arise when you are pursuing the path of morality and legality; can you search for punyakarma and find it on the path of unrighteousness, unlawfulness and immorality ?