Book Title: Confluence of Opposites
Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

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Page 406
________________ 388 GENERAL SURVEY AND CONCLUSIONS He who deceives himself in the matter of animal food, will be deceiving himself in all other things. Life is dear and joyous to all and lie who destroys it for a momentary gratification of his palate, is certainly not fit to be admitted in the Realm of Mercy and Love that are the two most prominent attributes of Divinity, With unmerciful instincts in full operation, the fusion of spirit and matter takes the very worst forms and drags one into the most undesirable surroundings and conditions in the next re-birth. It is possible for us now that we have the light of reason to guide us to reform ourselves, but it will not always be so if we fall into lower grades of life in the future, When this lust for flesh is lessened, we shall acquire a clearer outlook in politics, and the relations of nations, communities and states will then be adjusted and regulated by the rules of Mercy and Love. It is well to know that there are four kinds of ideals in life which are termed (i) dharma (religion or virtue), (ii) artha (wealth), (iii) káma (pleasure), and (iv) moksha (salvation). Of these, the first three are meant for the householder, and the last for the sådhu (saint) who has renounced the world. The rule of wisdom governing the house-holder's ideals is that pleasure (kấma) is the lowest of all ideals, and must be subordinated to the Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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