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DISCOURSE 86
179
The mental eyes of King Parikshit were opened. He discarded his fear of death and he became absorbed in spiritua! contemplations.
WHAT KIND OF DELIGHT IS THERE IN LISTENING TO DISCOURSES ?
This is listening to discourses. The commentator says when a Swarakinnari (a demi-goddess of music) sings in the company of a young demi-god of music, the listeners experience extraordinary delight. Listeners should experience such a celestial delight in listening to discourses. This experience of delight arises spontaneously. When the impurities of the soul disappear man experiences this kind of delight.
If you are really interested in the delight of listening to discourses, you will observe the principle of punctuality. Supposing the time at which the discourse begins is 9 a.m., you will be here before 9 a.m. Listeners must be in the Upashraya even before the spiritual head comes to deliver the discourses.
From the Audience : But our practice is the reverse of it. First, the preacher arrives and then the listeners come one by one.
THE DEFECTS RELATING TO DISCOURSES
Maharajashri : That is improper and it is contrary to prescriptions. Such a thing happens because people are not interested in discourses. Sometimes, such a thing happens because, the time of discourses is inconvenient to people. Many such defects are to be seen now-a-days. I will mention here a few of them as a sample. 1. Coming to hear a discourse after the discourse has begun. 2. Coming late but sitting in front. (Causing disturbance to
others moving among them.) 3. Looking this way and that way instead of concentrating on
the discourse. 4. Conversing with those who are around.
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