Way of Life Part 3

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

Page 57

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guidance of capable, competent and trustworthy people. Dedicate your life to the sacred feet of such great men.
To-day, we have to discuss this point. The seventh ordinary principle is this. "Fazirara 375MUTH"! (Swayogyasya Ashrayanam). You must take the refuge of the worthy man. You must surrender yourself to him. You must seek the refuge of such a man as can take care of you, and can give you the right guidance. Actually, this ordinary principle was enunciated in the days when Kings were ruling over Kingdoms in India. In the Kingdoms ruled over by Kings people had to live with care and caution. Those who were intelligent, sensible and ambitious after thinking carefully and realizing the situation, preferred the refuge of Kings. If there were no unavoidable difficulties people used to spend all their life-time in the Kingdom where they were born. Some people lived in this manner also. They were born in one Kingdom; they spent their life in another; and died in some other Kingdom. The matter was this. In those days people used to live in a Kingdom where they could carry on their pursuits relating to Dharma, Artha and Kama fearlessly; where they could acquire wealth; and where they could get justice when an occasion arose.
In those days, people used to choose a Kingdom for their residence, on the basis of these four factors; (1) Dharma; (religion); (2) Kulachara Shuddhi (the purity of traditions); (3) Pratap (valour); and (4) Nyay (justice).
In the days of Kingship, the Kings used to follow various religions or dharmas. If one King followed Jainism, another King followed the Vedic religion. One followed Buddhism and another followed Islam. Most Kings used to be religious fanatics. Therefore, in such cases, the people had to follow the religion that the King followed. This was inevitable. The King used to coerce his people to follow his religion. Some Kings were also tolerant of other religions. In the Kingdoms of such Kings, people could follow the religion of their choice. The King would not insist upon their following any religion against their will. Life in the Kingdoms of such Kings was free from worries and disturbances