Way to Holiness

Guruji, you must help me. The pleasures and allurements of flesh and this world are making me their slaves. However hard I try, I am not able to get out of their firm grip. I really want to give up my bad habits and lead a holy life. Please tell me how can I do that. Please Guruji.... The young man sounded earnest and desperate. The holy man thought for few seconds, looked into the young man's eyes and said softly, 'don't struggle to change yourself at this late hour. Enjoy your life as much as you can, and by all means you can. The young man was totally surprised at this answer from the guru. He looked questioningly at the holy man. "You haven't got many more days to live, my son. I can see the shadow of death in your eyes. At the most one week more. That's all. So, don't worry about changing or becoming good at such a later hour. Go and get as much pleasures and enjoyment from the flesh and the world' the guru told him and went away to feed his cow.” The young man was shocked. He stood there stunned, with mouth wide open. Then he ran home, fell at his widowed mother's feet, and apologised for all that he has said and done to hurt her. He went to everyone, apologised and reconciled. By the end of the week he was seriously sick on the deathbed. The guru visited the young man at his residence. “Guruji, I am so blessed that you have come to my home, and I am having your darsan. Now I can die peacefully. The young man said with great relief. Guruji said, “I am sorry, my son, I made a mistake. There was no shadow of death in your eyes. You will not die soon. Get up, and live your life as good as you wish.” The young man was pleasantly surprised. Within few minutes his sickness left him. He got up and played host to the holy man. Before departing the holy man asked, “Did the flesh and the world enslave you during this week?” “No Guruji, the thought of death kept them off" answered the young man. “Think of your death once in a while, my son. That is the best way to conquer the temptations of the flesh and the world. It is the way to holiness,” told the saintly man and departed.