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DISCOURSE 59
THE PATHETIC HELPLESSNESS OF THE YOUNG MAN
I said to the young man, "If you loved your mother and sister so greatly, at least, for their sake you should have discarded your sinful and criminal career. You should not have done these things that caused anguish to them".
He said, "You are right; but I was helpless. If I left the company of that scoundrel, I would have been arrested and sent to jail or I should have died because my companions knew that I had committed murders and other crimes. They would have given information to the police about me or they would have killed me.
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But one day, it so happened that I had to quarrel with the members of the gang. Two members of the gang had attempted to force my sister to satisfy their lust. I killed those two scoundrels and said to the leader of the gang: "Now, I will go to the police; and confess my crimes. They may hang me; but I don't mind it".
The leader of the gang said, "You need not go to the police. Even if you surrender yourself to them, they won't punish you. Therefore, you go home; and celebrate the marriage of your sister. You may carry on any business you like. If you think that I can help you at any time, in any manner, you come to me".
I held the feet of the leader of the gang. The tears flowed from my eyes. I returned home. I made a strong determination not to touch any alcoholic liquors. On account of me, my family had faced much disgrace in society. Therefore, I left Bombay. I turned over a new leaf in my life. I changed completely. Two years later, I celebrated my sister's marriage. My mother passed away; and now I have decided to pursue the path of Dharma and lead a righteous life".
Now, dear listeners, I have told you the story of that young man very briefly. Innumerable events of this kind have been taking place. Criminal and sinful actions are being committed increasingly not only in our country; but in the whole world.
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