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412
MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
Its answer is this that without exaggeration of the indirect statement, it does not become clear. Further, earlier someone enjoyed carnal pleasures, fought wars, etc., but later on after renouncing all this, he accepted monkhood; such astonishing contrast would be perceived only when statements are done with exaggeration.
Question: Such descriptions increase passions?
Answer: For example, someone constructs a Chaityalaya (temple); his objective is to encourage persons to practise religion there, but if some sinner indulges in sinful acts there, then there is no fault of the person who constructed the temple (Chaityalaya). Similarly, the preceptors described adornment of body, etc. in mythology. Here their purpose is not of encouraging passional acts, rather that of actuating religious acts; but if some sinner does not practise religion and increases attachment, etc. passional feelings then what is the fault of the preceptor?
Question: Such descriptions should not have been there which are likely to arouse passions?
Answer: The mind of an ordinary passionate person is not attracted in the statement of renunciation only. Therefore, as the medicine is given to a child in a sugar-coated form, similarly the interest of passionate person is aroused in religion through the description of carnal pleasures, etc.
Question: If this be so, then at least the dispassionate persons should not study such Shastras?
Answer: In the hearts of those persons who do not have attachment feeling, the hearing of narrations relating to bodily adornment, etc. does not generate attachment feeling. They know that such is the tradition of narration here.
Question: At least such persons, who become passionate on listening to such narrations of bodily adornment, etc., should not listen to such narrations?
Answer: In Jain mythology where the purpose is of religion only and in which everywhere religion is fostered, the narration of adornment of body, etc. is done under the force of circumstances. If For Private & Personal Use Only
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