Gaina sutras

Author(s): Hermann Jacobi
Publisher: Clarendon Perss

Page 88

36
AKARANGA SUTRA.
FOURTH LECTURE,
CALLED
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
FIRST LESSON.
The Arhats and Bhagavats of the past, present, and future, all say thus, speak thus, declare thus, explain thus: all breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away. (1)
This is the pure, unchangeable, eternal law, which the clever ones, who understand the world, have declared among the zealous and the not zealous, among the faithful and the not faithful, among the not cruel and the cruel, among those who have worldly weakness and those who have not, among those who like social bonds and those who do not: 'that is the truth, that is so, that is proclaimed in this (creed).' (2)
Having adopted (the law), one should not hide it, nor forsake it. Correctly understanding the law, one should arrive at indifference for the impressions of the senses2, and 'not act on the motives of the world.' 'He who is not of this mind, how should he come to the other1?'
1
Pânâ bhûyâ gîvâ sattâ. In the sequel we translate these words, all sorts of living beings.
2 Literally, what one sees.
Who acts not on worldly motives.
Sinfulness.