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Endurance
(Song of an ascetic—Story of Avanti Brahmin)
O liberal Uddhava, his stock of merits was exhausted through his neglect of the five claimants. Even the wealth which he had hoarded with great pains and exertion was lost.
O Uddhava, some of his wealth was taken by his relatives. Thieves laid their hands on some. He lost another portion by the anger of the gods or calamities or accidents and by the lapse of time. Some of it was taken by men and kings. When his wealth was thus lost he was neglected and cast away by his own people. He was very much afflicted at heart when he reflected that his wealth had never been used for the satisfaction of his own desires or for righteousness.
He shed tears when he reflected on his pitiable condition and his voice was choked. He developed intense disgust for the world. He attained Vairagya or distaste for worldly possessions and enjoyments like an ascetic.
He said to himself, “My experience has indeed been bitter. Alas! Woe unto me! I deserve it. I have tormented my body in hoarding wealth. I have not utilised the wealth for the attainment of my desires or righteousness. I have gained neither righteousness nor my own pleasures.
Generally the wealth of the miserly does not contribute to their comfort or happiness. It only leads to their affliction in this world and leads them to hell and loss of their soul after their death.
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