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DISCOURSE 95
DO NOT ALLOW YOUR SENSIBILITY TO PERISH
The author has bestowed upon his readers the power of sublime vision by revealing the truth about death. Is there any attachment which cannot be discarded or decreased by a contemplation on death? Yes. Here is a point of significance. The man who carries out such a contemplation must be sensible and thoughtful. Only a sensible man can carry out the right contemplation on death. Such a contemplation enables man to realise the worthlessness and futility of the body, wealth and other mundane possessions. Only that contemplation can break and cut the bondage of attachment. The contemplation on death does not produce any desirable effect on a man who is devoid of sense. If we remind him of the inevitability of death, he merely says, "Of course, I have to die some day. That is certain but let me enjoy life before I die". He will put forth the Epicurean argument thus, "Death is the end of life; Ah, why should life all labour be ?" If he does not believe in the theory of punarjanma or the transmigration of the souls, he says, "When so many pleasures abound around me; I should enjoy them. How can we believe in the other world? Death will come and I am not afraid of it".
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The Acharya's exhortation does not appeal to those who are destitute of sense and intelligence. These exhortations have no value in the eyes of those people. Yes, sometimes it also happens that a man who was unintelligent and senseless yesterday becomes intelligent and sensible to-day. This kind of transformation occurs on account of some causes or on account of the kshayopashama (partial pacification and partial destruction) of karmas. Circumstances can produce extraordinary effects. On account of a circumstance, a robber becomes a sadhu. On account of some circumstances, a sadhu becomes a householder. Circumstances change an atheist into a believer and a poor man into an affluent man. On account of circumstances, a profound change appears in men. Some men who never contemplated rightly on death begin to contemplate on death and develop a robust faith in the existence of the Paramatma. Recently, I read about an incident. It took place
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