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[Lord Mahavira's Twenty Seventh Birth
reduced to smallest particles of sand by rivers and streams, and then sleep eternally on the beds of seas and oceans, in the same way, the longest periods of Time like Palyopamas and Sagaropmas pass away second by second and are remembered no more. It is no wonder therefore that Lord Mahavira lived for twenty Sagaropamas in his twenty-sixth birth. Now we turn again to the main topic. CONDITION OF THE RELIGION AND
BLIND FAITH. On the eve of Lord Mahavira's birth the religious condition of Bharatkshetra had become very critical, Irreligious practices were carried on in the name of religion. Animal sacrifice had reached its extremity. Hundreds and thousands of dumb and innocent cattle were slaughtered every day and offered to the gods, with the hope of attaining paradise. The sinful practices of human sacrifice could also be seen in its naked form at several places; it was performed quite blindly for winning selfish ends. People had thoroughly given up their spiritual ideal of renunciation. Those who were previously patronisers of self-control, truth and simplicity were now given to the propagation of worldly pleasures, evil thoughts, and their religious instructions had taken the garb. of selfishness.
There was no talk of spiritual culture and attainment of spiritual knowledge. The whole society indulged it self in the perpetration of evil deeds which increased, day to day, more and more. Deceitfulness, dishonesty and showiness were prévalent everywhere. Ignorance brought with it a flood of sorrows, troubles and diseases into the land. Mankind was, at this time, in a great distress. A painful cry of sighing and
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