Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 87

DISCOURSE 78
77
I bowed my head. I was amazed to see in these days, a grihastha (a householder) who could austerely carry out so many rigorous vows. I thought he was a Dharmavir (a man of tremendous spiritual heroism). I felt greatly pleased and delighted. His wife said, "He performs Tham Chauvihar Ekasan (taking food and water only once in a day).” That means, he drank water only while performing Ekasan. At other times, he never drank even water. Once, his eyes were operated upon. Even then, he did not break his vow of Ekasan. He drank water only once at the time of Ekasan. The operation was successful. What an amazing mental power, he possessed !
I said to him, "How could you carry out your vows and adore knowledge in this excellent manner ?" He said, “I have been able to do all these things by the grace of the enlightened spiritual heads. Spiritual heads have bestowed upon me extraordinary grace. I can never forget their benefactions through all my lives.”
To-day, he is not alive. But the fragrance of his virtues still remains fresh. Such a noble householder becomes a spring of inspiration to others. You can derive inspiration from such people only if you have the desire for inspiration and encouragement.
MAKE YOURSELF INTROVERTIVE
Only that man who is not influenced by the external conditions of his life can effect this kind of transformation and reformation in his life. Moreover, his individuality attains perfection. You must try to make yourself introvertive so that you may ignore the external conditions and concentrate upon your inner self. The contact with enlightened people gives the necessary spiritual strength to develop this kind of introvertive personality. But you must surrender yourself totally at the feet of enlightened men. Even a householder can surrender himself thus. His surrender will be in accordance with his physical and mental strength.
A certain western thinker by name G. W. Allport says, “You