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Iṣṭopadeśa - The Golden Discourse
states of existence the infernal state, the subhuman state of animals and plants, the human state, and the celestial state, many times over. It has indulged in all objects of sense-gratification. And it has suffered unimaginable torments in its states of existence.
We can choose to continue with existence that is perennially subjugated by karmas. Or, we can choose to subjugate karmas by adopting the path of right faith, knowledge and conduct. It is rare to get birth as a five-sensed being; greater is the difficulty to get human birth. Even if human birth is attained, it is difficult to attain a good family, keen senses, health, and suitable environment. When all these are attained, if right belief is not acquired, human birth becomes useless. If one loses the condition of a human being due to negligence or over-indulgence, it is difficult to attain it once again. The way to make human birth meaningful for all times to come is through renunciation of worldly pleasures, meditation accompanied by austerities, propagation of true faith, and finally attaining an auspicious death.
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