Aptavani-5 Aptavani-05 | Page 177

138 Aptavani-5 becomes complete (samyak aachar), matches the Lord’s scriptures. There is not a single living being that is not looking for eternal happiness. One believes that permanent happiness lies in money but then inner turmoil and restlessness begins in that too. Inner burning (badatara) and permanent happiness cannot co- exist. Both are contradictory. It is not the fault of money; it is the fault of the self. He concentrates on money and does not even look elsewhere. That is why we have sold out on our values; they have been traded in the pawn shops. How can you consider this living? We are called arya praja (the spiritually exalted people of India). This does not suit us. There are three things in such people: noble conduct, noble thoughts and noble speech. None of these exist today. People have become uncivilized and yet they live under the impression that they have right conduct and that they will attain liberation. You fools! You will not attain anything for thousands of lifetimes with what you are doing. The path to moksha is not like that. Good Deeds Do Not Cancel Bad Deeds Questioner: Do we not need to hang on to merit karmas (punya) until we reach the path of liberation? Dadashri: Yes, that is why people are preoccupied with looking for good and auspicious things, are they not? You will attain everything through such punya. Merit karmas (punya) are bound on the path to liberation but you do not need such merit karma. What is the kind of merit karmas (punya) of the one on the path of moksha like? His whole life will pass by without him even knowing whether the sun comes up or not, his life would be easy. That is the kind of merit karmas one will have. So then, what are we going to do with merit karmas that are such that despite having worldly comforts they lead to pain and misery? Questioner: Is such a punya not needed until one finds