Jain Journal 2004 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 16

R.P.PODDAR:RELIGION (DITARMA)
217
atthammi hide puriso ummatto vigayaceyano hodil maradi va hakkārakido attho jīvam khu purisassal Bha Arā. 853.
Inordinate carnality causes envy, and strife. It has been called 'bhedāyatana = breeding ground of dissension (Dasave. 9.2.12). It has caused great wars such as the Trojan and the Rāma-Rāvaạna. In a way, this too involves violation of natural right. Nature is seen to be producing male and female in almost equal numbers. In the pairprogeny tradition (vugalika paramparā) the balance was perfect. Nature has endowed male and female, of all species, with desire to unite and procreate and thus keep the creation going. This desire is very intense and its frustration may touch deeper layers of consciousness. One violating the conjugal life of another, or one appropriating to oneself a number of consorts and thus depriving others, causes an irremediable suffering. One who, propelled by greed, amassed more than reasonably required means of subsistence and physical comfort, behaves inimically towards others, because in his bid to have more and more he may prevent others from acquiring enough means for the fulfillment of bare necessities.
Nor do the killers etc. gain anything from inflicting all these sufferings on others. On the other hand, they too are sufferers, albeit, they may not realize it. Apart from the theological prognosis of atonement in next life, a killer suffers while killing. Since he himself wouldn't like to be killed, his conscience does prick while killing and this leaves a scar on his psyche, not easy to be effaced. As virtue has its own reward so also vice has its own punishment. Gosvāmi Tulasīdāsa gives an apt example in the context of Rāvana going to abduct Sitā. He says:
sūna bica dasakandhara dekhā, āvā nikata jatī ke veșāll jäkeṁ dara sura asura derāhim, nisi na ninda dina anna na khāhim/l so dasasisa svana ki nāim, ita uta citai calā bhidojāim// imi kupantha poda deta khagesā, raha na teja tana budhi bala lesā//
Rāmacarita-mānasa 3.27.(4-5)] So killing etc. brings universal suffering and their eradication paves the way to universal well-being.
If one looks at the twelve-fold observances of a householder along with the list of typical transgressions to be avoided, one finds