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THE WAY OF LIFE
every day but, of course, as long as a man does not desire to hear discourses, discourses should not be delivered to him. The Acharya stood by his word. As long as he stayed in that village, he did not want to deliver discourses.
From the Audience : Did not the leader of the robbers desire to hear discourses, at any time?
Maharajashri : If he had entertained the desire he would have said to the Acharya politely, “Maharaj, to-day I want to hear a discourse by you". But as long as the Acharya stayed there, the leader of the robbers did not make such a request to the Acharya. Even if he had entertained that desire, he might not have made the request on account of the fear of being converted. Did he not have such a fear ? "If we hear discourses our occupation of robbery will have to be discarded". They had no other occupation or it is likely that they had no opportunity to follow some noble occupation. They were steeped in a morass of robbery, violence and murders. A man cannot live in society among others after having committed offences. He has to remain in concealment.
From the Audience : Cannot such men surrender themselves to the government ?
Maharajashri : Even if they surrender themselves to the government, they have to undergo imprisonment. They have to remain in prison for some years. How can dacoits accept punishment ? They like to be free and they do not like to go to Jail. It is a different matter if they are arrested and sent to Jail.
The name of the leader of the robbers was Vankachul. He was greatly impressed by the forgiving nature and the noble ways of the Acharya and the sadhus. Within three months, he developed a great regard and amity for the Acharya.
One day, the Acharya said to Vankachul, “Noble man, now we have to proceed on our way. We will set out to-morrow.
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