Mahavira Life and Philosophy

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

Page 50

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giveness ; in the fire of s ittpulse he offering consists of detachment and jo the fire of bonger this offering of fasts is made. This spiritual sacrifice leads to liberation. ... ... .! ! Futility of animal sacrifice' wiki!!!", acr' ... Animal sacrifice on the other hand brings the downfall of man whereby he 'undergoes indescribable agonies and anguish in hell or in subhumian forms of life. The law 'as you sow, so you reap' is of universal application. One who sows a bramble will never pluck à rose.
Those who believe that God is pleased by apimal sacrifice forget that Godhood is the state of perfection and purity. God is neither pleased nor becomes irritated. Pure, perfect, Omnisciept and passionless God does not send a person to hell or heaven. The soul wanders in the world according to its auspicious or inauspicious actions. The soul with attachment, desires and cravings' transmigrates, where-as the passionless self manifests its latent Godhood. The progress on the path of Nirvana-liberation depends upon soul's complete reliance & dependence upon oneself. Dependence upon outward objects is the source of misery and transmigration. Selfhelp, self-dependence, Self-reliance lead to spiritual sovereignty and bliss of beatitude. "
The pilgrim on the path of liberation contemplates benevolence towards all living creatures, joy at the sight of the virtuous, compassion and sym. pathy for the afflicted and tolerance towards the