Mahavira Golden Principals Of Life

Author(s): T J Salgia
Publisher: T J Salgia

Page 2

5.
Man cease from sins. For the life of man will come to an end. Men who are drowned (in lust) and addicted to pleasure will, for want of control, be deluded.
6. The observance of the five anuvratas (lesser vows, known as ahimsa, truth, non-stealing, chastity and limitation of possessions) and refraining from the use of wine, flesh and honey, are the eight fundamental virtues of a householder.
7. Bathing in the so-called sacred rivers and oceans, setting up heaps of sand and stones as objects of worship, immolating oneself by falling from a precipice or by being burnt up in fire (as in sati) are the common follies.
8. Deceit, greed, anger, and ego; combat these causes of sin; a wiseman should abstain from them.
9. Better it is that I should subdue myself by self-control and penances than be subdued by others with fetters and corporal punishment.
10. The man also, who still lives in the house, should in accordance with his creed, be merciful to living beings; we are bidden to be fair and equal with all.
11. By one's actions one becomes a Brahmana or a Ksattriya or. a Vaishya or a Shudra,
12. In this world, living beings suffer indi
vidually for their deeds; for the deeds, they have done themselves, they obtain retribution and will not get over it before they have felt it.
13. Toward your fellow-creatures, be not hostile; that is the Law of Him who is rich in control.
14. Though others sleep, be thou awake! Like a wise man, trust nobody; but be always on the alert, for dangerous is the time and weak the body.
15. All beings hate pain: therefore one should not kill them. Let not anyone injure life; but be as assiduous in cherishing the life of another as his own, for ahimsa (non- violence) is the highest religion.
16. Soul! If thy mind cannot bear painful
words, then be immersed in the meditation of Pure Soul so that thou mightest attain happiness.
17. If thou art afraid of pain, then give up
every sort of care and anxiety; even as a little thorn is painful, so too, is slight chinta (worldly anxiety) the source of pain.
18. The embodied soul alone does actions; it alone wanders in the long chain of mundane existence; it alone 'takes birth'; it alone 'dies'; and it alone enjoys the fruits of its actions.
19. One grieves for another, thinking, "He is my relative or my master"; but verily