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CHAPTER-VII
289
taking oath creates bondage; therefore acceptance of vows by oath is not desirable."
Answer: So long as the chance of involvement in a particular act remains, till then, the oath of abstaining from it is not taken. And because of such chance, attachment in that act persists. Due to existence of this attachment feeling bondage of relevant karma continues because of non-abstention even without indulgence in that act. It is, therefore, necessary to take oath. How could the relevant thoughts be checked without accepting the bondage (oath) of not indulging in that act? Under the pressure of circumstances, the relevant thoughts do arise and even without the force of circumstances, the inner intension of indulging in it persists. Therefore, it is necessary to take oath.
He further argues-"The rise of karmas in future is un-predictable and if later on oath is broken, then it would result in great sin. Let the act take its own course as per providence. One should not think in terms of taking oath."
Answer: While taking oath if one thinks that this oath is not likely to be strictly observed, one should not take such oath; but if at the time of taking oath the inner intention be- “I will breach it during the hour of necessity", then what is the effectiveness of such oath? At the time of taking oath, one's intention should be such that even if death occurs he will not give it up. So, taking such oath is assuredly commendable. Without taking oath, the bondage of karmas resulting from vowlessness is not stopped.
Further, if the oath is not taken due to fear of rise of relevant karmasin future, then by giving thought to the rise of karmas all kinds of duties and actions are lost. For example, one should take as much quantity of food as could be digested. If someone gets indigestion by taking food and because of fear of indigestion if he gives up taking food then death only will result. Similarly, one should take only such an oath which he believes that he will be able to maintain. If by chance some body became corrupt by breaching the oath and due to such fear if one does not take any oath at all, then incontinence will only result. Therefore, one should take such oath which he can maintain.
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