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DISCOURSE 662
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to a state of bliss and spiritual felicity. If we spend all our lives as grihasthas or householders that will be harmful to the soul and you are contemplating entering the phase of Vanaprasthashrama and you desire to renounce all the attachments and activities of worldly life. When that is so, why do you not enter the Sadhudharma and become a Sadhu ? Why do you not renounce all attachments and become a shraman (an ascetic) ?
"You are intelligent and you have mastered the shastras. So kindly think over my suggestion seriously. Kindly do not commit the mistake of forgetting and neglecting the soul which is imperishable in order to enjoy the perishable and illusory pleasures of life. Please do not give up the endeavour to attain spiritual elevation which is lasting, entangled in the snares of the infatuation for the momentary pleasures. Liberate your mind from such fascinations. Think over these ideas with a pure and firm mind.
You said that I should return to the grihasthashram; but that is not possible., I have renounced all physical enjoyments and I do not have any desire for them. I do not have even the slightest attachment for them. I love the life of a Shraman and I am fully satisfied with this way of life. Only in this way of life can I enjoy peace and felicity.
I have not come here only to meet you or to meet my mother who is my great benefactress. I have come here to lead all of you on the path of moksha. I stopped my study of Drishtivad in the middle and I have come here. How can I remain here? You yourself said once, "Noble men never stray from the chosen path even if they have to die for it." How can I give up my Sadhudharma ? If all in our family really love me then all of you receive initiation into charitradharma and proceed on the path of dharma. If you do so, I will be immensely happy. I will have the assurance of having done at least a little good in return for your countless benefactions":
Somadev said, “Dear son! What you say is absolutely true. I am ready to receive initiation into this Sadhudharma which you" have undertaken; but your mother is absorbed in the grihasthadharma. She is deeply engaged in taking care of her
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