________________
and others. Thus, both the indirect and direct evidences assert the rarity of human
life. Que. 8: Why have the great ancient masters and
saints considered the human birth more precious than even the precious-stone
("Ratna-chintamani') ? Ans. :(1) In the general chronological evolution
of the soul, nobody has made such strides as have been made by the man. This is directly evidenced by the modern progress in technology and various other fields. The principle of the direct relationship between the cause and effect is well accepted in all fields of life. On the same basis, the human being with the accomplishments of his master mind and all the five senses as compared to a stationary, stale soul with low capacity must be the effect of intensified 'Punya.' (meritorious deeds) Among aļl the living beings, only the man is capable of performing the highest task of ataining the salvation-a state of infinite knowledge and limitless bliss. Keeping in view the above ability of accomplishing the supreme task of emancipation, the human birth which is an external instrument in performing this task, should therefore, be inferentially
(3)
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