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અધ્યાત્મતત્ત્વાલક,
[24confers no boon on them; they themselves have not performed any heroic action. ( 37 )
Though there is neither patience nor seriousness nor endurance nor benevolenee, nor any other eminent quality, yet they entertain arrogance. What could be more ridiculous than this ? ( 38 )
Notes :—The following illustrations suffice to prove the evil consequences of pride :
It is through pride that Rāvaņa was totally ruined. The king Dashārnabhadra was highly elated with his greatness. Indra toned down his pride by the exhibition of his wealth, etc.. When the king saw clearly his position, he took his initiation from Lord Mahāvira.
Sthulibhadra, an ascetic of high repute, was elated with the pride of learning, but afterwards he could see and correct his error.
Harikeshi who was proud of his high birth was also lowered down in the next birth.
Marichi, the son of Bharata and grandson of Lord Rushabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, became very conceited and thereby became overjoyed on overhearing that he would become a Tirthankara in future life. He was thus doomed by his pride to many births in the Cycle of Evolution. At last he became Tirthankara as Lord Mahāvira.
The king Shrenika was hurled down into hell by the pride of his strength.
Sanatkumāra fell a prey to a direful disease on account of his pride of beauty.
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