Book Title: Jain Itihas Series 01
Author(s): B Benarsidass
Publisher: B Benarsidass

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Page 55
________________ ( 46 ) the fruits without performing those works, and at his bidding they may be attained by any one so-ever, without performing those works." (तवचनाद् यस्य कस्य चित् क्रियामकुर्वतोऽपि. क्रिया फलं भाति) “Veracity or abstinence from falsehood is here described to be as meritorious as the sacrificial rites enjoined in the Vedas, i. e., by practising veracity with unswerving faith one acquires the same merit which the sacrifices yield, and that without its being tainted by the cruelty which attends sacrifices." Gentlemen, this Sutra is very significant. It is a direct denial of the efficacy of the Vedic sacrifices by the followers of Yoga. It is rather a retort by a Yogi to one who vindicates the claims of Vedic sacrifices. "In the confirmed in veracity (there is) asylum of the fruit of works." "Let us not practise sacrifices,” says a Yogi, "for they are tainted by cruelty. Let us in their place practise Satya. Let us be truthful. Our veracity will help us to obtain all that sacrifices are supposed to give. Nay, if we practise truth, we shall acquire such great merit that at our bidding the so-called fruits of sacrifices may be acquired by any one soever.” Perhaps you might say, gentlemen, that the above Sutra does not deny the efficacy of the Vedic sacrifices, If so, why does the Yoga-Darshana altogether prohibit the slaughter of animals, and why does it recommend *Ahimsa in all conditions of the Chitta, at all times, at

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