Way of Life Part 2

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

Page 91

DISCOURSE 30
79
YOUR INTELLIGENCE BECOMES ANNIHILATED BY THE EFFECT OF THE PAPANUBANDHI MERIT
This is only your illusion. What does it matter even if Punyakarma arises and produces its effect? The Punyodhaya or the emergence of merit which binds you with sins; which impels you to pursue the path of sinful propensity and sinful activity and which causes spiritual ruin, is of no use. What benefit do you derive from it? When the Papanubandhi merit acquired by you in your previous lives appears now and produces its effect, you can earn money only by illegal and immoral ways and even that wealth impels you to engage yourself in sinful activities. Just as on account of the Papanubandhi punya, man acquires materialistic pleasures, his intelligence also gets polluted by it. There can be no sense in an intellect that is polluted. The polluted intellect inspires man to commit sins and it impels him to develop attachment for worldly things.
Do you know what attachment is ? Is attachment sinful or noble ? What is your movable and immovable property but a symbol of your attachment ? Do you consider it attachment ? Attachment is sinful. Your wealth and property are symbols of sin. Do you know this? Remember that these symbols of attachment are hideous and monstrous. The monster of attachment has established his sway over the whole universe. In his great work, "Gnanasar" Upadhyashri Yashovijaiji says,
"परिग्रहग्रहः कोऽयं विडम्बितजगत्त्रयं ?" What is this graha (heavenly body) called Parigraha which has its dominance over the Universe ? The enlightened have defined Parigraha as "779T FITTEDETTI" Parigraha is nothing but the infatuation of attachment. You have attachment for whatever you consider as yours. You think sincerely and see which objects you consider as yours, and which persons you consider as yours. What does not man do to attain an object for which he has attachment and which he likes to possess? What are the various steps he takes to safeguard the dear object which has come into his possession? How much sorrow you experience when you lose a thing for which you have a deep attachment?