Way of Life Part 3

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

Page 50

THE WAY OF LIFE
(fulfilling worldly desires); and Dharma (carrying out spiritual austerities) will be totally frustrated; and their lives also may end !
THE CRAZE FOR WEALTH IS THE ROOT OF MANY SINS
Question : How could there arise such hostility against Marwari merchants in those places ?
Answer: Indifference towards the basic principles of Dharma; and inordinate greed for wealth. Kindness and compassion are the roots of Dharma. These merchants are devoid of kindness and compassion. Their hearts are hard and unkind. In their endeavour to earn money, they do not even think of kindness and compassion. Probably, they do not seem to realize that there is a Dharma called kindness; and that there is a principle called compassion. The supreme ideal for them is amassing wealth. For the sake of money, they are prepared to commit any sin. ..
How long can they exploit the poor and the ignorant? And that injustice cannot go on for a long time. Excessive exploita tion brings about a rebellion. How did communism-communism through violence-appear in China ? How did communism appear in Russia ? And in our own country how did communism appear in Bengal ? Do you know these things or not? Rich people exploited the poor people; and in consequence the spirit of rebellion rose amor:g the poor like fiery flames; and many calamities occurred. Among the rebellious some took to the way of terrible violence under the name of Naxalites.
The great author of Dharmabindu exhorts people to leave the place where serious disturbances take place, because in the places where disturbances are taking place, no spiritual endeayours can be carried out. Not only this; wealth may be endangered and even the family-life of people is affected. These three factors are of great importance in the life of a householder: Apart from these three factors what other factors are important in the life of a householder ? If the life of a householder is devoid of Dharma (spiritual excellence); Artha (wealth) and Kama (worldly desires) what else remains in it ?