________________
508
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
form. Even thoughts of lust must be completely banished from the inner atmosphere of the soul. Totale abstinence and self-control are rigidly enjoined on all who aspire for liberation in the course of one earth-life. For the rest, partial control is necessary, if they would avoid hell and ugly, tormenting scenes after death. Partial control consists in the proper selection of a bride, and in the observance of the nuptial vow. The marriage-bed must be maintained pure and inviolate. The idea of a bedmate other than the married spouse should never be allowed to sully the purity of the heart; sexual fidelity should under no circumstances be jeopardized even in thought.
The husband and wife should both have the same ideal of life in common; they should share each other's beliefs and aspirations. Diversity of ideals is compatible with friction, not with co-operation, and even when people try to 'pull on' together, in a highly commendable spirit of toleration, the differences of opinion are not reconciled thereby. Hence, active co-operation for the realization of each other's ideals is out of the question under the circumstances. It is, thus, clear that where the selection of the nuptial-partner is determined solely by the physical charms, or some material advantage, e.g., money, marriage becomes a lottery in which more "blanks' are drawn than 'prizes.'
It is, now, easy to interpret the Messiah's teaching in respect of the types of eunuchs amongst men. There are eunuchs born, eunuchs made of men, and eunuchs who bave become so for the Kingdom of Heaven. The first class needs no comment; in their
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org