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DISCOURSE 56
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ed to come in.” She understood the inner meaning of his words; and said laughing: “That poor woman probably did not know that you are an absolutely faithful husband who would not even look at another woman”.
Then both laughed together. I think you have understood now how greatly Ramashastri insisted upon leading a simple life. Did his individuality suffer on account of it? Was his prestige in society affected by his simple living ? Now-a-days, the illusion that a man appears honourable, affluent and influential on account of dress is wide-spread.
WHAT A TIME HAS COME ?
A boy known to me was studying in a college. One day, he came to me taking a friend of his, with him. We discussed some doctrines of dharma. The friend of the young man had some engagement; so he went away. I asked the boy; "Your friend seems to belong to an affluent family”. He replied, "No. No. His father is very poor. My friend has been carrying out his studies with the help of some rich people who are giving him financial aid."
I said, "Does he wear such expensive dress with the help of others ? He is wearing a costly wrist watch also. Did he buy it also with the money given by the rich people who are helping him?
He said, “Maharaj Sahib! What shall I say to you? He is enamoured with a girl. He wants to show off before her that he is, the son of a rich man”. Now-a-days, this kind of cheating is going on. The help rendered by magnanimous people is being misused. It has become common for youngsters to have ten or twenty highly fashionable suits.
Boys want to appear handsome and attractive in the eyes of girls; and girls want to appear attractive in the eyes of boys and in their own eyes. They choose dress with the purpose of appearing to be affluent, attractive and cultured. Dress and decorations are being used to hide ugliness or some evil actions. The competition among people to show off their dress,
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