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THE PATH
139 beings.---In towns and villages cases will occur, which place the faithful in u dilemma'.
17. Hearing the talk of people, one should not say, this is a good action, nor this is a bad action. For there is an objection to either answer.
18. He should not say that it is meritorious, because he ought to save those beings, whether they move or not, which ar killed there for the sake of making a gift. • 19. Nor should he say that it is not meritorious, because he would then prevent those for whose sake the food and drink in question is prepared, to get their due.
20. Those who praise the gift are accessory 2 to the killing of beings ; those who forbid it, deprive others ofthe means of subsistence.
21. Those, however, who give neither answer, viz that it is meritorious, or is not so, do not expose themselves to guilt, and will reach Beatitude,
22. Knowing that Beatitude is the best 'thing as the moon is among the stars, a sage always re. strained and subduing his senses brings about Beati tude.
23. A pious man 3 shows an island to the be. ings which are carried away by the flood of the.
1. When well-meaning people sink a well, offer a sacrifice, or feed persons, etc. 1 2 Literally, wish.
3. The commentators connect Sáhu as adjective with tiram, and supply Tirthakara, etc., as subject.
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