Book Title: Mahavira Life and Philosophy
Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

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Page 180
________________ 180 bird, the serpent etc. Hence human birth is as difficult of attainment as a heap of jewels at the crossing of the roads. And if one loses the condition of a human being by negligence, it is as difficult to attain it once again its old freshness. Even if human birth is attained a good country, a good family, keen senses, health, etc. are more and more difficult of attainment. When all these are attained, if true faith is not acquired, human birth becomes useless, like the face without vision. And even after attaining this rare true faith, if any one is immersed in worldly pleasures, it is like burning sandal-wood paste for the sake of asb. Even with renunciation of worldly pleasures, meditation accompanied by austerities, propagation of true faith and auspicious death are rare. If these are achieved, then the attainment of enlightenment has borne fruit. (11) The faith promulgated by Jina is characterized by non-injury based on truth, with humility as its root, forbearance as its strength, safeguarded by celibacy, dominated by quietism and characterized by restraint and non-attachment as its support. Without attaining it living beings have been wande. ring in the beginningless mundane existence undergoing sufferings and misery owing to the rise of inauspicious karmas. If true faith is attained, one is bound to achieve emancipation, after enjoying several kinds of worldly prosperity and distinction. This is contemplating what is stressed in religion. This promotes constant devotion to religion. (12)

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