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52 JAINS TODAY IN THE WORLD
Rahu and Ketu (the eclipses). All these are the remaining traces of a very ancient tradition.
Before we close this chapter, we must briefly say some words of the beings that, due to their sins, are confined, for more or less time, in one of the seven hells. Before they can be reborn, they must suffer a thousand punishments for periods that vary according to the amount of bad "karma" they possess. The lower and darker the hell that they are in, the more excruciating is their pain, which is either inflicted by other atoning beings or by horrible demons and ferocious beasts. They attack each other or they are inflicted pains by terrific devils whose misdeeds must be feared. During his meditation, Mahāvīra had to face torments by devils like Sangama and Śūlapāṇī. 13 The same happened to Pārsva from the demon Meghamālī and to the Buddha from the deadly evil Mara. The two religions hence join the ranks of faiths believing in not only the existence of propitious celestial beings, but also of harmful entities.
As we see, if the Jains do not believe in a God creator, they do not lack divinities and saints to revere and devils to fear!
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