Practical Path

SR No.: 006703
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown
Publication Year: 1917
Total Pages: 268
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 11 MB

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THE PRACTICAL PATH.
to gods, it destined the sacrificer himself and all those concerned in the taking of life, under the pretext of
which followed the discovery. He was reborn as a fiend in a region of the Pâtâla, recollected the fraud practised upon him in his last life on earth, and vowed to be revenged upon its perpetrators. He set out immediately for the world of men, and encountered Parbat just after he had been turned out of the city of Vasu and at the time when he was meditating on the best course to pursue to popularise his interpretation of the word aja. Finding Parbat a useful and ready tool for wreaking his deadly vengeance on his hated rival, he promptly offered to assist him in his vile mission. According to this unholy compact between man and fiend, Parbat was to proceed to Sagar's city where Mahâkâla--this was the real name of the demon-was to spread all kinds of plague and pestilence which would be removed at Parbat's intercession, so that he might acquire respect in the eyes of the people whom he intended to convert to his views. The demon kept his word, and Parbat found the whole population suffering from malignant diseases, which he began to treat successfully with his incantations. But for every disease that was cured two others appeared in the fated kingdom, till people began to believe that they had incurred the wrath of gods, and sought the advice of Parbat, whom they had now begun to look upon as their chief benefactor. Some time passed away in this manner, and at last it was thought that the moment favourable for the introduction of the new system of sacrificial rite had arrived. At first there was considerable opposition to the idea of animal sacrifice; but long and intolerable suffering, great respect bordering on veneration for Parbat, and, the most important of all, faith in his miraculous power, built, as it was, on an actual demonstration of the practical utility of his system, inclined less stout hearts to carry out his suggestion. Meat was first of all given as a remedy for certain diseases, and it never failed in the promised effect. What Parbat had failed in establishing by argument, he succeeded in proving by this method of practical demonstration with the help of his demon accomplice. Gradually and steadily the number of converts to his views increased, till at last an ajamedha was celebrated, on Parbat's assurance that the victim suffered no pains and went direct up to heaven. Here also Mahakala's powers were relied upon, and they