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## Vasuraja's Descent into Hell, Kaushik's Descent into Hell
The second light of the Yoga Shastra, verse 61 states: Truth sets the wind in motion. Truth subdues the gods. Truth brings rain. All conduct is based on truth. If you base others on truth, what can be said about you? Give a decision that is appropriate for the truthful. Vasuraja, as if not hearing or ignoring the above words about truth, without considering anything with long-sightedness, said, "The Guruji had made the meaning of 'Aj' as 'goat' in 'Aj-Meshan' (meaning 'goat-ram')." Speaking such a false word, the deity presiding over the altar became enraged. He shattered both the crystal-clear altar like the sky and the throne placed on it. Vasuraja was immediately thrown to the ground, as if they had undertaken to throw him into hell. Narada also immediately left from there, scorning him by saying, "Who would look at your face, you who give false witness like a Chandala?" Vasuraja, humiliated by the gods for speaking false words, went to the terrible hell. Whenever any son of the guilty Vasuraja sat on the throne, the gods would kill him. In this way, the gods killed eight sons of Vasu. Therefore, hearing the fruit of Vasuraja's speaking falsely in this way, those who listen to the Jain teachings, the glorious souls, should not speak falsely even if they are under pressure, coercion, or consideration, or even if they fear the loss of their lives. This is the heart of the Narada-Parvat-Katha!
That truthful word, which benefits the virtuous, even if it is true by origin, is considered to be in the category of falsehood if it causes pain to others. Therefore, one should not speak even such truth, which causes pain to the hearts of others.
**Verse 117:**
*Do not speak even truth, which causes pain to others. For it is heard in the world that Kaushik went to hell for speaking such words.*
**Explanation:**
Many times, a person's word appears to be true in worldly conduct; but when considered from the ultimate point of view, it is found to be harmful to others, then it should be considered as falsehood. One should not speak such words that cause harm to the heart. Speaking such words leads to hell. It is heard from the world's traditions and other scriptures that Kaushik went to hell for speaking hurtful words (which are actually a form of falsehood) that cause pain to others. The story of Kaushik is as follows in the tradition of the sect:
**Kaushik's attainment of hell due to false words in the form of killing living beings:**
Kaushik, a wealthy ascetic, left his village and lived as a poor man on the banks of the Ganges River. There he ate roots and fruits. He became famous among the people as a non-possessive, selfless, and truthful person. Once, the ascetic saw thieves coming from a nearby village to loot. Just as a serpent enters its hole, those thieves entered the bushes near the hermitage. According to the footprints of the thieves, the villagers came to the ascetic's hermitage and asked him, "Great soul! You are truthful, tell us where those thieves went?" Kaushik, the ascetic, who was ignorant of the secrets of Dharma, said, "Those thieves have entered these dense bushes." Hearing this, just as hunters pounce on deer, they pounced on the thieves and killed them. Therefore, Kaushik, the ascetic, completed his lifespan and went to hell for speaking falsehood in the form of factual words that caused pain to others.
After forbidding even a little falsehood because it is harmful, now we express regret for those who speak great falsehood.
**Verse 118:**
*Even a little lie can lead to Raurava and other hells. What will be the fate of those who speak against the words of Shri Jinendradev?*
**Explanation:**
In this world, even a little lie, which is beneficial for a little gain, can cause a person to be born in Raurava, Maharaurava, and other hells. Oh! What will be the fate of those who speak against the words of Shri Jinendradev?