Way of Life Part 3

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

Page 17

DISCOURSE 49
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they are above desires and selfish ambitions. You should not entertain excessive ambitions to acquire position and power.
The second point relates to money. You should not be covetous of wealth. The craving for money, or the desire to amass wealth is an evil one. The contemplations relating to the acquisition of wealth makes the minds of men unclean, fickle and stupid. The man who is always obsessed with thoughts relating to the acquisition of wealth, cannot think of his soul; and cannot engage himself in spiritual contemplations. Those who crave for wealth; and desire to amass wealth cannot carry out the spiritual contemplations that ought to be carried out in this state of human existence. Such people keep thinking day and night about the various plans to acquire wealth. They keep thinking anxiously of the ways by which they can safeguard the wealth that they have amassed. In making those plans, they do not care to see what is good and what is evil. They are merely plunged in thoughts relating to money. On account of this, dissatisfaction increases in the members of their families; and they will not be able to carry out spiritual endeavours; and in this matter, they will be deceiving themselves. To-day, ask a man who is an industrialist whether his family is satisfied with him. Ask him whether he spends, at least, half an hour in worshipping the Paramatma or in showing devotion to him; and whether he performs, at least, one or two spiritual austerities a day. On account of his craving for materialistic prosperity, man cannot give a proper place to spiritual activities, in his life. Therefore, enlightened people say, "Do not have an excessive craving for wealth". A householder has to earn some money. A householder has to earn money to support himself and his family; but he should not be obsessed with a craving for acquiring wealth. A householder has to make proper endeavours to earn money; but he should not grow mad after wealth. Foul methods should not be adopted to acquire wealth.
EXCESSIVE ATTACHMENT FOR PRESTIGE AND HONOUR IS NOT GOOD
The third matter relates to prestige. Prestige means honour. One should not have an excessive craving for honour. One