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THE WAY OF LIFE
PEOPLE ARE NEGLECTING THE ORDINARY PRINCIPLES
But spiritual heads and preachers of Dharma have not been giving as much attention to the ordinary principles as they are giving to special spiritual austerities. They exhort people in their discourses to do deeds of charity and benevolence but they do not exhort people to the same extent to acquire wealth by legal and fair methods. They exhort people to lead a life purity, nobility and celibacy; but do they exhort people in the same emphatic way to observe the ordinary principles regarding marrying a proper person in life? They exhort people to construct temples but do they in the same emphatic manner exhort people to observe ordinary principles regarding the way to worship the Paramatma and regarding the worthiness of the worshipper? Are they giving people so much exhortation regarding the necessity of equanimity and of fearing sin as they are giving in respect of such special austerities as Samayik and Pratikraman.
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The result is evident enough. Probably, the ordinary principles have disappeared from the life of grihasthas. Special austerities are being carried out improperly; that is, in contravention of prescriptions and the pride of those who are inert and indifferent regarding austerities has grown sky-high. Here, indifference means performing spiritual austerities without a proper knowledge of the principles relating to their performance. There is no gain attained from this kind of performance of austerities and there is no limit to the pride of these indifferent people. They do not observe the ordinary principles in their life but they want to pass for Dharmatmas. Things are going on like this; are they not?
Therefore, I exhort you to listen to discourses on Dharmagranthas every day. At least, little by little, you acquire the knowledge of shastras. Acquire the knowledge that touches your life and can transform it. Whenever you get an opportunity of meeting spiritual heads, listen to their discourses.
Whenever your mind is depressed and gloomy you approach a spiritual head who is enlightened and compassionate. Your
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