Way of Life Part 4

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

Page 91

DISCOURSE 78
81
are peaceful and non-violent such as cows, buffaloes, elephants, horses etc. attain the state of human existence. But those human beings that were animals in their previous janma will have an excessive, aharsamjna (an excessive desire for food).
Even heavenly beings after their death in heaven may be born as human beings. Those human beings that were gods and goddesses in their previous life have an excessive Maithunsamjna (an excessive sexual passion). They also may possess a strong Parigrahasamjna (the tendency to develop attachment for physical objects).
We have to think thus; "I have passed through many states of existence to attain this state of human existence. I have attained this state which is difficult to attain. I should not misuse this state of existence. I should not make my life as a human being futile and fruitless by committing such sins as causing violence to others; speaking falsehood; stealing; acting ignobly; being angry or haughty or deceptive or avaricious. I should not commit such sinful actions and make my life as a human being futile and fruitless. I have attained this lofty state of existence because I did some noble actions in my previous life; because I adored and practised Dharma in my previous life and because I did not commit many sins in my previous life (purvajanma)”.
The fourth question is this; “Whither shall I go after my death? If I spend this life in sinful thoughts and contemplations, I will be surely born as an animal or a bird or I will be born in Narak (hell). No. I should not court spiritual decline and ruin. If I am entangled in the attachment for wealth, family, friends, etc. and if I keep committing sins, my spiritual ruin is certain. How can I experience the tremendous torture of spiritual ruin ?
Now, I should proceed on the path of spiritual elevation. I should not fall into the bottomless pit of spiritual ruin. I should receive guidance from enlightened men regarding the way to carry out the pilgrimage of my life. I will certainly discard all