Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 19

DISCOURSE 73
GRATITUDE IS A GREAT VIRTUE
The yogi bestowed his blessings upon Ded; and permitted him to return home. Ded saluted the yogi with absolute faith and devotion and set off towards home. On the way, he was thinking only of the yogi. "Iron becoming gold! Even in this Kaliyuga, there are such great men, and how benevolent he is! What a great benefaction has he bestowed upon a wretch like me. I will never forget his benefaction.”
Ded possessed this virtue of gratitude. It is a great virtue not to forget the benefactions of one's benefactors. Ded thought, "I will always abide by the promise, I have given to the yogi. I will never disappoint any beggar. Why should I disappoint beggars when I possess the miraculous power of Suvarnasiddhi? But first of all, I should get rid of my poverty. I should first repay all my debts with interest. Later, I will do many, many noble deeds. I will build temples. I will build choultries for the poor I will render help to the destitute and the indigent”.
Many such noble ideas rose in his mind. Such noble thoughts arise in the mind of a person only when the Punyanubandhi punya manifests itself in his life.
Ded returned home. The gold that had been made by the yogi had been given to Ded by the yogi. Ded brought that gold home.
DED MADE THE MISTAKE OF NOT THINKING OF THE TIME
Now, Ded had to think of the time and the place but he did not think of them. He did not also think of the people around him and the king ruling over the area. His poverty had disappeared and he had become suddenly prosperous. He repaid all the debts he had incurred. He renovated his house; and made it magnificent. The standard of his living also changed. The people of the city began to think, “How did Ded get so much money? He has not carried out any business. He is not the kind of man that would commit a theft. Then, how did he get so much wealth! Did he find a great treasure in his field ?