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CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
365 Such is the sublime teaching embedded in the legend or the sacrifice of the red beifer, which, unfortunately, has been understood in quite an opposite sense. Indeed the entire doctrine of sacrifice has been grossly misunderstood by men who have been doing themselves incalcuJable harm instead of good. I need only add about this heifer legend that it contains, within the small dimensions of a solitary pictogram, the highly condensed essence of the entire religious and philosophical lore, and esti. mates, most accurately, the value of nafs with reference to three kinds of ideals, material, beavenly and divine. Its temporary control enables man to eke out his living in this lise, by manual labour or otherwise (three pieces of gold); by curbing it regularly heavenly pleasures are enjoyed in the next rebirth (six pieces of gold); but if it be destroyed totally it immediately leads to Godhood which means eternal Life and joy and Immortality (its full weight in gold)!
I now pass on to a consideration of the third item on the list of means for salvation, namely, pilgrimage. Now, pilgrimage is made to a place with a view to develop the germ of spirituality in the soul. and its efficacy depends on the accompanying mental attitude and the spirit of renunciation (vairágya) which are best developed outside the atmosphere of worldly bustle and home lise. Junayd, a Maliomedan saint, well brings out the purport of pilgrimage in the course of his conversation with a man who has just retumed from pilgrimage 1o Mecca.
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