________________
CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
193
the serpent and Eve. "It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise bis heel” (Genesis, iii, 15.) This refers to the tatural conflict between the intellectual and the sensual aspects of the ego, Desires are finally subdued by asceticism as the result of true Wisdom (the 'seed' of Intellect). This is beautifully described in the Hindu Books as the subduing of the Serpent-king, Kaliya, by the Child Krishna, the latter being, not an avatar of an extra cosmic divinity, but only the allegorical representation of the divine Ideal of Perfection. The serpent-sacrifice instituted by Jenamejaya is another beautiful allegory of the sacrificing of desires (see The Mahabharata or Karma Yoga, by K. N, lyre, B. A., pp. 191 et seq.) According to the Book of Genesis (iii, 14) the serpent is also coomed to go on its belly. This is because sensuality can never aspire to soar to spiritual heights, never having a moment's respite from the enjoy. Inent of pishaya-bhogas (objects of sensual pleasure) to pause for self-contemplation. The curse on Eve is also fully descriptive of the nature of the Intellect. Her sorrow and conception are greatly multiplied. The animal has no regrets nor misapprehensions, but the man endowed with the In
16)
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org