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CHAPTER-VIII
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commandment, is a treasury of for-bearance.” But this sermon is not meant for the discourser. If on the basis of this sermon, the discourser continues to indulge in anger, then he would harm himself only. This sermon is meant for acceptance by listeners. Sometimes even being angry, if the discourser gives a true sermon, then too the listeners will treat it to be beneficial only. Likewise, one should know elsewhere. . Further, intense heat-producing medicines are prescribed for the persons suffering from extreme cold, (typhus). If one is suffering from heat or from minor cold, takes such medicines then he would become miserable only. For one who has excessive prominence of some activity, the discourse may be given with great emphasis for its contradiction; if a person who does not have the prominence of such act or has little prominence, follows such sermon, then he would harm himself only.
For example, someone has very great liking for study of Shastras and does not make effort for self-realisation; for such person, too much study of Shastras has been negated. But a person who does not study the Shastras or studies Shastras rarely, if gives up study of the Shastras by such preachings and does not engage his Upayoga in selfrealisation, then he would harm himself only.
Further, for a person who strongly believes religion to consist in committing injury through the act of oblation (religious sacrifice) and bathing, etc., the preaching is - "Even if the earth gets turned upside down no auspicious fruit can result by committing injury." But if a Jiva who accumulates lot of Punya (auspicious karmas) by practising acts of worship, etc. in which some injury is also caused, gives up worshipping, etc. by following such preachings and does not adopt injuriless practices like Samayika? etc., then he would assuredly harm himself only. In the same way, one should know elsewhere.
For example, some medicine might be potentially effective, but one should continue taking it so long as it is beneficial to oneself. If even on mitigation of cold, one continues to take heat producing medicine, then it would rather cause the disease. Similarly, there is some religious activity, but one should continue its practice only till
1. Samayika = Vow of self-contemplation, state of equainimity.
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