Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 57

DISCOURSE 76
47
You cannot realise the danger of excessive familiarity if you examine it superficially. You can realise its dangers only when you examine it with insight and farsightedness and if you visualise its evil effects.
AN OLD STORY
A certain princess renounced worldly life and became a sadhvi. This story is found in the Dharmashastras. Of course, she became a sadhvi but she developed excessive intimacy with the wife of a rich merchant of the city. "This sadhviji was a princess. She has become a sadhvi renouncing her palace and splendour". It was natural that people felt fascinated by her transformation. Of course, the grihasthas who adore virtues naturally feel fascinated by such a transformation in the life of a princess but sadhus and sadhvis should not be drawn towards people. The desire to secure devotees or to make people their devotees can cause calamities in the life of sadhus and sadhvis.
The sadhviji developed deep intimacy with the wife of the merchant. Of course, the Sadhviji believed that the intimacy was righteous and that it need not be discarded. When she went to the house of the merchant to obtain Bhiksha (food), she stayed there for a long time conversing with the wife of the merchant. When the wife of the merchant came to the upashraya to see the sadhviji they sat conversing for hours. Both liked this. The sadhviji thought "I am only trying to draw this woman towards the path of dharma." The merchant's wife thought, "I have found an excellent mentor in this sadhviji". Their intimacy went on increasing. The sadhviji forgot the command of the Jin. The Jin's command is, "Never develop excessive intimacy with anyone". She forgot this command of the Jin.
One day, the sadhviji went to the house of the wealthy merchant to obtain Bhiksha (food). At that time, the merchant's wife was taking a bath. Of course, there were others in the family who could have given food (Bhiksha) to the sadhvi. But the sadhviji could not return without meeting and conversing with the merchant's wife. She stood waiting outside the bath