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TENTH CHAPTER : THE MOON: INTRODUCTION
Title Chandim--Chandrama--the moon. The moon hanging in space with its perpetual cycles of progressive growth and decline is a unique example of the sequences of growth and decline. Bhagavan Mahavir used this example to explain the growth and decline of the virtues of the soul.
Gist of the story-Shraman Bhagavan Mahavir arrived in Rajagriha. Gautam Swami asked him how the virtues of a being grow and decline. Bhagavan replied that just as during the dark fortnight of a month the moon gradually declines in its attributes like its whiteness, glow, etc., and at last on the dark night (moonless night) is devoid of all its attributes, the ascetic who starts to decline in ascetic virtues like clemency, beneficence, etc. similarly goes on declining slowly and in the end is devoid of any virtue. Also, during the bright fortnight the moon grows every day in these attributes and on the full moon night it is at its best. Similarly, the ascetic who starts to progress in the prescribed virtues and continues to do so, at last acquires perfection.
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JNĀTĀ DHARMA KATHĀNGA SŪTRA
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