________________
498
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
greed, and all like inclinations and emotions have to be offered as a sacrifice to propitiate (develop) the higher Self (Will).
We may, therefore, say that the sacrifice of another's life can never be the means of salvation; on the contrary, it is sure to engender the worst kind of karmas for the vain sacrificer, for will can never be developed by the sight or smell of blood. It is passions, and passions alone, which increase and are strengthened by it; but passions only go to obscure the intellect and harden the heart. Neither knowledge, nor purity, therefore, can spring out of animal or human sacrifice.
As pointed out in an earlier chapter, resurrection means the conquest of death and the realization of the natural purity of Atman, i.e., the Self. Now, because the realization of this natural perfection depends on one's own exertion, and not on the merit, grace or favour of another, is inconceivable how any outside agency can possibly lead to the emancipation of the soul from the clutches of death. All that another can possibly do for one, in this respect, is to call one's attention to the powers and forces lying hidden and latent in the soul; and to this extent it is permissible to take instruction from a properly qualified teacher. But neither sacrifice nor vicarious atonement tends, in the remotest degree, to draw the attention of the soul to its own powers. For this reason, both are equally devoid of merit and the seeds of rebirth.
Arrived at the status of manhood, the jiva has the choice, hence, the power, to attain salvation by the right use of his divine will. He may direct his energies in the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org