Page 49 - Courage Redifined

Kamlata did not recognize her as a prostitute but took her as
a nice woman and thought, “This seems to be a good shelter.
Where will I roam ? If she is inviting me so warmly, I should
accept the offer,” Thus, she went along with the prostitute.
She stayed at her place for some days and realized that her
taste, clothes and living style matched with that of a prostitute.
She became tension free and happy.

Q. : Isn’t this tension free attitude and happiness good ?

A. : No. Look where is this going to lead her to. Many people
become tension free and happy on marrying a pretty and
caring woman. But it may happen that because of her
affection and obligations, they forget their enthusiasm
for religious activities and other virtues like generosity,
kindness, etc. Sometimes if you meet such a person and
ask him, “How much have you progressed in the matter
of religion ?”

He will defend himself by saying, “What progress ? I still
continue doing Arihanta Lord’s pooja, etc. that I previously
used to do.” When you retort by saying, “Arre! But your
enthusiasm, contribution of time and energy seems to have
decreased.”He will answer, “No. Nothing as such but because
of these responsibilities, there will be an obvious decrease in
time.”Nowhere is there any acceptance or regret over one’s
mistake. He will not even utter a word about the entry of
the loving partner in his life which has actually led to the
tension free attitude and the decrease of religion in his life.
Women, wealth, house and office, respect and affection are all
worldly objects. Happiness in relation to these worldly objects
is dangerous because it makes one forget religion and the
welfare of the soul and drags one in sinful activities. Men get
married to their desired partner and then forget their parent’s

Greed - The Root of all Evil 39