Account of Jainism

Author(s): Unknown
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 90

An Account of
Nec bene promeritis capitur, nec tangitur
ira. I Well may these words apply to the Gods of Jainism. This description of the Gods is not however the nature of what are styled Devas residing in the heavens, in Jain literature. These are in the essence beings like men, only enjoying higher, longer and more intense pleasure. But they have pains going along with their pleasures and especially they are at a disadvantage when compared with us, in being compelled to descend to human life before it is even possible for them to attain the Nirvan. They are 'ben writ large. 'The Jins, — this is the proper term for the true Gods of
9 Mr. Morley, in his Gladstone III 19, translates these lines thus. “ For the nature of Gods must ever of itself enjoy repose supreme through endless time, far with drawn from all coucerns of ours, free from all our pain free from all our perils, strong in resources of its own, needing nought from us; no favour win it, no anger moves."