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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
297
Now intentional killing has two varieties. (1) Intentionally killing an offensive creature. (2) Intentionally killing innocent creature When killing of innocent creature is prohibited, killing of an offensive creature is allowed as an exception. That which has offended in any manner is an offensive creature, and that which has not offended in any manner is an innocent creature. If an offensive creature is to be faced and killed, it amounts to the punishment inflicted on the same offensive creature but the person with the vow of non-killing would do it with reluctance, pain and regret (with Jayana).
A householder has to domesticate elephants, horses, camels, cows, oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep etc. for maintaining his life. He has also to confine them in a yard or to belabour them. He has also to punish and belabour his own children for leading them to the path of betterment. This act of violence against innocent beings is with some well-wishing purpose and the same is allowed for the householder; while beating mercilessly or oppressing an innocent creature in any manner without any reasonable ground is prohibited under this vow.
If non-violence observed by a monk carries the credit of 20 units, then non-violence of a householder carries about if units ; still it is highly beneficial. A householder is simply allowed to punish an offensive person or a creature. He does not violate his vow; but indeed incurs sin by doing so. This means that he should not be bent upon enjoying this concession but he should try his best to avoid sin incurred by enjoying the concession. Now we shall consider how one gains by observing this vow. When killing of innocent creatures is prohibited, all the innocent creatures are thereby safeguarded. Now just think how many creatures of the world would offend you and how many of them are innocent ? Those who come in your contact and offend you are offensive and those who do not are innocent. Thus those who do not come in your contact are numberless animals or beings—many more than those who contact you. By accepting the vow of not killing the innocent ones you are immuned from the sin of killing all these numberless creatures.
Fourth vow mentions non-attachment for the wives of others. One who has accepted this vow is allowed cohabitation with his own wife. If a man marries four or five times during his lifetime then he is allowed cohabitation with these women only and he is
