________________
CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
185 destruction of desires. These divine qualities and and attributes are termed gods in the language of symbolism. Hence, the gods are strengthened by the offering of
sacrifices to Agni. Such is the character of Agni, which, as you are aware, is not only venerated by the Hindus but also by the followers of the Zend Avesta. The entire scheme of the Vedic mythology is thus clearly reducible to the following important points ; (1) the indivial soul is its own God--the jivåtman
and the Paramåtman are one ; (2) the pure soul is fully divine, being endowed
with Omniscience which is a mark of divinity; (3) this natural divinity of the soul is marred by
its union with matter; and (4) asceticism is the path which leads to Perfection
and Godhood. We thus see that the Vedic Mythology is nothing but an expression in symbolical language of some of the most important scientific truths about Life. The subject is highly interesting, but I cannot afford to dwell any longer on it. You will find it discussed in my
Practical Path' and in the Key of Knowledge' which deals with different mythologies in a cosmopolitan spirit of enquiry. Another buok to which I would like to refer you in this connection is the Permanent History of Bharatvarsha that has already been quoted in the
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org