Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

Author(s): Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore

Page 28

(1) In my neighbourhood a woman gave birth to male twins. Now they go to school. Both are exactly same in appearance, complexion and constitution. Both have been brought up under similar conditions. In other words both have been born and brought up in the same conditions. They generally wear similar dresses. It is difficult to recognize them individually when they are together.. But there is no similarity in their nature, habits, traits, and intelligence. One of them is considerate, generous, serene, humble, and sharp in studies. The other is harsh, cruel, ill-natured, arrogant, and dull in studies. One is happy to protect tiny insects, animals and birds and help colleagues. The other derives pleasure in willfully killing, torturing, and crushing tiny insects. In no time he starts a quarrel, squabble, or confusion. One is the darling of parents, neighbours, teachers, and colleagues. The other is the object of hatred, anger, and abuse by all. Looking at all this a question naturally comes to mind - why such marked dissimilarity in the nature and traits of twins? The spontaneous answer I find is this dissimilarity is caused by the karmas acquired by them during their preceding birth. Looking at their traits we have to accept that the two must have had different realms, genuses, conditions, and traits during their earlier incarnations. Looking at their present traits we can very well divine their future incarnations.
(2) A few years back an incident occurred near my village. It was widely reported in newspapers. There was a long standing feud between two families in that village. Finding an opportunity some people from one family hacked a hefty young man from the other family to death with spades. They buried the body under a mango tree in the farm of the very same young man. As soon as the family came to know of the gruesome act they lodged a complaint at the police station in a nearby village. Police acted fast and came to the village for inquiry. Legal formalities were completed and the convict was arrested. A list of eyewitnesses was prepared. The case came to the court for hearing. From the lower court the case was transferred to the sessions court. The hearings went on. Evidences were taken and the lawyers conducted the cross-examination. In the end the public prosecutor pleaded that it was clear from the evidence that the convict was guilty of culpable homicide as well as concealing the evidences. Therefore, according to the Indian Penal Code he should be sentenced to death.