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DISCOURSE 55
not opened; the girl's husband got suspicious. He went up to the roof; and opened the thatch a little and looked in. He saw them both absorbed in their sinful sport. I need not tell you what happened later. You can imagine it. The magician was beaten in such a way that not a single bone or muscle of his was intact.
Some people take undue advantage of the belief of others in ghosts and evil spirits thus. On account of such events, sometimes if a person is really possessed, people do not believe that the person is possessed. Finally, a jiva experiences joys or sorrows in accordance with its good and evil Karmas.
THE NECESSITY OF AN OCCASION FOR KARMAS TO SHOW THEIR EFFECT
97
Question: If Punyakarmas (noble deeds) and Papakarmas (ignoble deeds) are the cause for our joys and sorrows, where is the need to examine the features and potentialities of sites and houses?
Maharajashri: You are right to some extent but your knowledge of Karmas is incomplete. Punya (merit) and Papa (sin) are the root-cause of all the joys and sorrows of jivatmas. That is right. But there are some karmas which show their effect when they get an opportunity. Those opportunities or causes are related to Dravya (substance) Kala (time) and Kshetra (place). For example when a man secures an auspicious thing, it brings him good fortune or happiness. He may have merit (punya) but it requires an opportunity to manifest itself. If anyone secures a dakshinavartha Shanka ( a conchshell of the right-side twist) his merit shows itself and brings him prosperity. If a Padmini type of woman enters someone's house as a bride, he will get prosperity by the efficacy of his punya (merit). If a noble son is born in a family, the family grows prosperous because the merit (punya) of the family manifests itself. These are examples of opportunities relating to dravya (objects or substances).
comes.
Some Karmas show their effect only when a certain time This is called the opportunity relating to time. For
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