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TRANSMIGRATION
time. Thus, he believes in the retrogression of the souls. He does not believe in the theory of growth and progress of the souls from lower to higher states of consciousness. It is not proper to maintain that 'the rational minds in India do not believe in the retrogression of the human souls into animal forms...." There are many passages, just like those in the Jaina works even in the writings of the Upanisads that clearly refer to the retrogression of the human souls into animal forms. The following are some of the passages that mention the retrogression of the human souls into lower bodies. 'Those who do not know these two paths become insects, gnats, mosquitoes. 22 Those who possess good conduct here would attain good birth, the birth of a Brahmana, that of a Ksatriya, or that of a Vaisya. Those who are of bad conduct here would attain evil birth, the birth of a dog, that of a hog, or that of a sudra.' 'Some persons according to their karma and inclination of mind take another birth. Some others again are degenerated into the states of trees. He is born on this earth as a worm, a grasshopper, a fish, a bird, a lion, a boar, a snake, a tiger, or another creature in one or other station according to his deeds." In accordance with the conception of the Jaina, the karma leading to the bondage of hellish life is the result of possessing immense wealth, indulging in violent deeds, killing the beings of five sense-organs, eating flesh, etc. The karma leading to the life of animals, vegetables, and the like is the consequence of deceiving others, practising fraud, speaking untruth, etc. The karma leading to human life is the result of simplicity of behaviour, humble character, kindness, compassion, and so on. The karma leading to the enjoyment of celestial life is the result of practising austerities, observing vows, and the like." It is evident from the above description that the individual performing the actions befitting hellish life goes to hell. If he performs any act that fits in with the life of an animal or vegetable kingdom, he has no choice other than to take birth in that state of existence.
1 Life beyond Death, p. 71.
2
Bṛhadaranyaka-Upanisad, VI, 2, 16.
3 Chandogya Upanisad, V, 10, 7.
Katha-Upanisad, II, 2, 7.
5 Sa iha kito va patango va sakunirvā śārdulo vā..
Kausitaki-brāhmaṇa-upanisad, I, 1, 6.
177
• Bhagavati-sutra, VIII, 9, 41.
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