________________
Here a question may arise as to how this subtle compassion for tiny creatures can be useful in life? And how such a compassion can become possible ?
To explain this it must be mentioned that the feeling of compassion, tenderness and love are very very essential in a man's life, without which man will become like a wild animal on account of his tendencies of cruelty, insensitivity and fierceness. With such human beings around us, our social life will become dangerous and frightful on the maxim that a big fish eats a small fish and the law of the jungle prevails. For, if we do not show compassion for the tiniest creatures, then, we will be filled with a sense of cruelty and harshness for such creatures and as per the dictum of psychology,man will become cruel and harsh towards his fellow human beings as well, especially when his selfishness will use his creulty and harshness indiscriminately. A big fire arises from a mere spark. In the same way, big faults arise from small mistakes. A child who commits small thefts in his childhood will unfailingly become a thief who steals bigger things when he grows up. In the same way, the slight cruel attitudes which develop from our cruelty for small beings will result in a greater cruelty for the bigger beings when the occasion arises. It is for this reason that Jainism teaches compassion and love even for the tiniest of beings with a view to keep the flow of compassion and love flowing towards other human beings who are the highest form of living beings. The knowledge of these tiny creatures as well as the virtues of compassion, love and non-violence constitute a
Jain Education International
21
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
