Way of Life Part 4

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

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THE WAY OF LIFE
The opportunity of meeting such great men results only from one's merit and good fortune. When you get that opportunity you must not fail to benefit from it. I will narrate a story, now relating to the time when Pethad Shah had not yet come to Mandavgad; when the position of Chief Minister was vacant; and when his father, Dedashah had passed away and when Pethad Shah arrived at Mandavgad, as a poor man.
THE EARLIER PHASE OF PETHAD SHAH'S LIFE
This story took place in the 13th century of the Vikram Era. In those days, Acharyashri Dharmaghoshasooriji was absolutely influential in the Jain sangh. He was a man of the highest degree of self-discipline but at the same time he had also mastered some occult arts. He was a mighty scriptural scholar.
The great Acharya was carrying out the chaturmas in the city of Vidyapur in which Pethad Shah was living with his family. Pethad Shah was so much worried about his livelihood that it was impossible for him to visit the Upashraya. But one day, his good fortune brought him to the Upashraya.
When Pethad Shah came to the Upashraya, the great Acharya was delivering a discourse to the congregation. Hundreds of men and women sat in the Upashraya listening to his discourse. Pethad Shah also sat there at the back.
The Acharya was speaking about sacred vows; and at the same time, he was also explaining to the congregation the loss that is caused by the absence of refrainment and indifference to vows.
"Heavenly beings admire the man who after listening to a discourse takes a vow with a pure mind, because the gods and goddesses cannot undertake and carry out even ordinary vows on account of their inability; yet they love taking vows; so they admire vows and those who undertake and carry them out.
The jiva that has only one sense (Ekendriya) cannot take in food (through the mouth); yet it does not get the fruit of