Page 16 - Desire to Disaster

own tempestuous dispositions of attachment and aversion,
pride and passion, likes and dislikes are the reason for each
and every sorrow that karma causes us.

Question : What is sañsāra?
Answer : Sañsāra is a tree, with attachment and aversion,
joy and sorrow as its roots, branches, leaves and fruits. One
who indulges in likes and dislikes gives rise to the roots of
the tree. From the roots springs forth the entire tree, complete
with trunk, branches, stems, fruits and leaves. As long as
the madness of likes and dislikes, attachment and aversion
continues, the tree becomes stronger and stronger. Its fruits
are the consequences of attachment - grief and sorrow. Which
in turn bring about more attachment and aversion. The
vicious circle of sorrowful circumstances - sorrowful reaction
- sorrowful circumstances continues.

Is indulging in attachment and aversion, joy and sorrow
folly or wisdom?

It is not smart to indulge in attachment and aversion, joy and
sorrow because such indulgence results in violence, slavery
to the senses, attachment to worldly objects, and further
leads to lies and deceit, quarrel and dispute. All these things
harm our own soul. So how can indulging in attachment and
aversion, which is the catalyst for pushing the soul into this
vicious circle, be called a smart thing to do? It is folly to
indulge in such attachment and aversion. As it leads only to
more and more sañsāra. Migration in sañsāra only leads to
sorrow. This is why the wise ones have no love for or faith
in sañsāra.

Rupsen was caught up in the throes of passion. He believed
that his fantasy would come true. But fate was two steps
ahead of him. When all his family members were going to
the park to celebrate the festival of Kaumudi, Rupsen told

16 Desire to Disaster