Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 48

one is charged of committing the offence and staful act of igjury.
When a saint observes a fast the small parasites, the smal insects living in the abdomen die for want of necessary pourishment, but the saints soul is not contaminated with sin, since he has no intention to destroy them. His mind was not conta. minated with impure thought. The spiritual progress can be measured by the advancement of the aspirant by his control over passions, Misconception
Some misguided people think that their thoughts are always pure and unattached, therefore they should not be judged by their life of licentiousness.
This is a wrong and erroneous attitude. External conduct and way of life have their repercussions over the psychic plano. When the mind is not muddled with devilish thoughts, why will it try to choose such objects or way life, which are associated with vicious thoughts and conduct ? External objects are the basis of thoughts. There will be no thought without a basis in reality. Out. ward conduct and possessions help us to read other's mind and internal attitude. This fact must be borne in mind that if the mind is pure and noble, the conduct will also be acoordingly noble and pure. If the outward character is saintly the mind may be pure or it may not be pure. The hypocrite's outward conduct dupes the world, for his mind is wicked and crooked. He makes a false show.