Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 12

THE WAY OF LIFE
You must realise when time and place are not congenial to your actions. In this context, Adesh means an uncongenial place. It does not mean Bharath or Gujarath or Maharashtra etc. It means any place where you are living; any village or town or city in which you are living. It means any place where you are residing
In the same manner, Kala time does not imply such periods as Uthsarpini (a time of progress) or Avasarpini (a time of decline). It does not also mean the fourth or the fifth Ara (phase) of time. In this context, time means the present moment, when you carry out your actions. It means the present day or the present month or the current year.
DO NOT BE IGNORANT OF YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND ENVIRONMENT
You must be thoroughly familiar with the conditions prevailing in the town or city in which you are living. You may be single; you may be living with your family; you may be working in an office or you may be carrying out some business. Whatever you may be doing you must be fully conversant with the conditions prevailing in the city or town in which you are living.
Now, of course, in Bharath, there are no kings and emperors; otherwise you would have to think of the nature of the kings and emperors also. When you think of the place where you are living, you must also think of the ruler of the place. Now, of course, there are no kings. But if you are living in a village you must see what kind of people are the members of the village panchayat. If you are living in a city you must see what kind of person is the district-head. Is he really taking care of the people of the city or is he merely achieving his own selfish ends? Is he a real ruler or an exploiter? Does he take his own decisions in the matters relating to administration or does he take his decisions according to what others say? What kind of friends does the ruler have? What kind of ministry is in charge of the city? Are the people of the city enjoying safety and security ? You must think of all these things. The man who does not think of these things will be caught in minor or major difficulties and