Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 67

DISCOURSE 77
57
you must discard them by means of a stern and sacred vow. Have you taken such a vow ? Have you taken such a pledge ? If not why have you not taken such a pledge ? You have not taken a vow to discard those sinful actions because you love ignoble things and you despise noble things in life. When you are not committing those sins, what difficulty have you to renounce them by means of a sacred vow?
It is a different matter, if you have not found any enlightened men to impart knowledge to you. But if you do not entertain the desire to attain knowledge even after finding enlightened men, what does it mean? It is a different matter if you are entangled in the meshes of wicked practices since you have not found anyone who can explain to you the significance of sin, but if you continue to commit sins even after understanding the significance of sin what does it mean? Even after realising the value of noble activities and practices, if you do not love them, what does it mean?
You can render real service to great men who are enlightened and who are carrying out great vows only when you love sacred vows and true knowledge. Only if you love sacred vows and true knowledge can you desire strongly to attain the benefits that accrue from rendering service to such great men, Do you know what benefits you attain by rendering service to great men who are enlightened and who are carrying out sacred vows?
उपदेश: शुभो नित्यं, दर्शनं धर्मचारिणाम् ।
स्थाने विनय इत्येतत् साधुसेवाफलंमहत् ॥ - You listen to their exhortations which bring you spiri
tual welfare and other auspicious benefits. - Those who want to live a life of Dharma can get from
them the right spiritual guidance. - You will learn the lesson of being polite to sadhus.
These are the benefits you get by rendering service to great men who are enlightened and who are carrying out sacred Vows.