Way of Life Part 1

SR No.: 006513
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhadraguptasuri
Publisher: Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 432
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 22 MB

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42
THE WAY OF LIFE
caught and his offences also have been proved. What punishment is given to him?
A Listener from the audience: punishment.
Even he is given capital
Maharajashri : A man who commits one murder is given capital punishment and a man who commits five murders also is given the same punishment. This is rather strange. The man who has commited five murders should be given a higher punishment than capital punishment. In this world, there is no punishment higher than capital punishment. Punishment has to be given to such a man and the punishment has to be in proportion to his offences. If this is not the case, it will be injustice. There was a friend of Hitler by name Eichman. He killed lakhs of people. Do you think his enormities are proportionately punished when he is given capital punishment? Hell is the place, where he gets that higher punishment which will be proportionate to his crimes. Those jivas that enter hell have to remain there at least ten thousand years experiencing terrible torments. That is so because the life time of a jiva in hell is ten thousand years and that is the minimum period.
Have you made a study of the organisation of the cosmos as it is expounded in the Jain Dharma. In the Jain philosophy, the universe is called Lokh. The universe has three aspects or parts: Urdhvalokha (the higher world), Madhyalokha (the middle world) and Adholokha (the nether world). The seven hells are situated in the nether world. Mathematical calculation is the means by which this organisation of the universe can be realised; and understood. How wide is the cosmos? How high is it? What is the form of the universe? All these things have been described in terms of numbers. The universe is fourteen Raj high; and seven Raj wide. Raj is the name of a standard of measurement. The description of the organization of the hells is found in ancient Granthas (works). The Shastras also have been regarded as a Praman, or evidence because the great sages who wrote them were reliable and authentic. They were reliable because they were completely devoid of desires and selfishness. Why should they utter lies? Only selfish and