Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 17

DISCOURSE 73
He said, “Sir, I will think about it and I will meet you tomorrow." He has not yet come back. Now, you please tell me whether he is worthy or unworthy of being helped. He was not prepared to conform to those four principles. How can we render help to such unworthy persons?
People want to become affluent. They do not want to become men of character and nobility. Characterlessness has increased greatly, now-a-days. A person who does not possess a noble character can never attain any great siddhi (spiritual power).
Nagarjun saw that Ded possessed an absolutely excellent character. He found that Ded was capable of attaining and safeguarding a great siddhi. He found that Ded was a man of his word. Nagarjun said to Ded,
“Dear son! I desire to bestow a benefaction upon you, if you agree to act according to my word.”
"O revered sage! Why do you speak thus ? Even Indra, the king of the heaven cannot disobey your commands. What am I after all? I do not have any power. I will adore and act according to your word with a spirit of dedication and devotion. I will adore your word just as people adore the precious gem, the Chinthaniani”.
THE YOGI TAUGHT HIM THE POWER CALLED SUVARNASIDDHI
The yogi was greatly pleased to hear the humble words of Ded; and he said, "Ded ! Merchants are generally avaricious. Though they have in their possession crores of rupees, they do not give to the needy even the smallest coin. Therefore, I exhort you never to say “No” to any beggar that comes to your house. You should not disappoint a beggar. I desire to bestow upon you a miraculous power called Suvarnasiddhi (the power of making gold)”.
Have you heard this ? What opinion did the great sage, Nagarjun express regarding merchants? As you grow richer and richer, do you become more and more generous or miserly? Only