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PHILOSOPHY OF SOUL
very manner it can be proved that causing dissensions leading to degradation is also not praiseworthy: Punitive measures meaning punishments also are not worth encouraging. Thus religion does not welcome the notions of pecuniary, punitive and dividing measures as laudable.
Right conduct also cannot fully connote the concept of religion. Indeed it conveys partially the concept of religion but not in entirety representing the true nature of religion. Religion meaning right conduct amounts to meaning Bombay as India. India includes many cities, rivers and mountains. Similarly religion includes various concepts of faith, knowledge, emotions etc. Moreover, right conduct conveys different notions according to different types of people. Some people hold that right conduct means daily baths in the morning and evening and not touching anyone. Some, mean by religion feeding Brahmins, offering alms, watering Pippala trees, feeding grass to the cows, and feeding beggars. Therefore, it is not reasonable to hold that religion means right conduct only.
Religion meaning worship of God also is an imperfect description of religion. God's form or nature is assumed in various ways by various types of people and thus their modes of worship are also various. What should we then mean by worship ? This is indeed a problem. When by religion we mean worship only, then where should we place knowledge, and meritorious acts? We do not mind worship as the part of religion but it is improper too.
If you mean giving in charity by religion then also the definition is too narrow as it does not cover all the ingredients of religion. Good character, penances, vows and emotions are the various ingredients of religion. How can mere giving in charity convey religion ?
If you mean by religion righteous thought then also it is a connotation too narrow. Do you mean that a man would realise his spiritual ideal merely by entertaining righteous thoughts ? Righteous conduct should accompany righteous thought but such conduct is not conveyed by this explanation.
If by religion you mean acquisition of knowledge then this definition would exclude all religions injunctions, ceremonies and rites.
