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Endurance
(Song of an ascetic—Story of Avanti Brahmin)
My life and strength were carelessly spent in the vain acquisition of wealth, by which men of discrimination attain their goal. What can I do now in my old age?
Why do even learned men who know that wealth is the source of all evils exert much to obtain wealth which tends to no good purpose? Surely this world is totally deluded by the Maya of someone.
What is the use of wealth or other acquisitions, desire or objects of desire, for a man who is in the grip of death? What is the use of Karma as it will only involve him in a never-ending series of births and deaths?
Certainly that glorious Lord Hari, who is the Lord of the universe, who is the embodiment of all the gods, is immensely pleased with me, for He has brought me to this state in which I am endowed with Vairagya or dispassion which is a raft or a boat for me to cross the ocean of Samsara or ocean of births and deaths.
I shall lead the rest of my life, if at all there is any left, in penance, I shall find delight in Atman only. I shall do all that tends to the attainment of highest good. I shall lead a virtuous life and strive for my salvation. May the gods, the rulers of the three worlds bless me to attain this state.Raja Katwanga, attained the abode of Brahma within an hour.”
The Lord said: “Having thus resolved in his mind, the great Brahmin of Avanti cut off all desires and also the knot of egoism in his heart and became a Sannyasin. He also became tranquil in mind.
He wandered alone over the earth with perfect control over his mind, senses and Pranas and he just entered towns and villages for the sake of alms. No one knew who he was. Wicked people surrounded, mocked and ill-treated the old and ugly monk in various ways.
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