Way of Life Part 2

SR No.: 006514
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 362
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 18 MB

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admiring. The impact of such virtues will fall upon the soul and that imperceptible impact travels with the soul through the future janmas; and that impact will manifest itself in the future janmas.
It is likely that all noble propensities may not bring about their effect in this present life but the partiality or admiration for noble things can be present in the heart. A man who cannot render deeds of charity and benevolence can at least admire charity and magnanimity. He who cannot practise celibacy in his life can at least admire that virtue. He who cannot be just, moral and honest in his dealings can at least admire those vir. tues in others.
From the Audience : Why is it that we cannot practise in our life the virtues that we admire ? What is the cause for this?
Maharajashri : There is no such rule that men should practise in their lives, the virtues that they admire. It may not be possible for them to practise those virtues. Admiration for virtues appears on the plane of thought and feeling while the practice of those virtues has to be on the plane of actual life and duty. The plane of duty is of greater value than the plane of thought and emotion. In order to practise lofty virtues, there is the need for extraordinary ability. It is easy to entertain noble thoughts and feelings but it is difficult to transform them into actions. Those who cannot perform noble actions can at least admire them and have a partiality for them.
Question: What is the use of thinking nobly when one's actions are ignoble ?
Answer: There is a great benefit. Actually, if a man entertains noble thoughts, he will certainly reach some day the level of acting nobly, and of discarding his evil actions. Evil actions and propensities will disappear. Is this a small benefit ? Therefore, admire the noble actions of great men. Whatever noble actions great men carry out, they carry them out in a proper place. There is a proper place for every action. We should perform only that action in a place which is proper for that action. The proprieties of place and time are of great importance in the