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power of the sense of touch, 2. Vital power of the sense of taste, 3. Vital power of the sense of smell, 4. Vital power of the sense of sight, 5. Vital power of the sense of hearing, 6. Vital power of speech, 7. Vital power of the body, 8. Vital power of respiration, 9. Vital power longevity, and 10. Vital power of reasoning. The deprivation of any vitality in any creature ought also to be viewed corresponding to the number of vitalities it has. The development of sensitivity of any creature also varies in proportion to number of vitalities it enjoys. Therefore, the flaw incurred in the case of depriving the vitality(ies) of a comparatively insensitive one-sensed creature cannot be viewed as the same as that in the case of more sensitive two and more sensed creatures. Again, the flaw of depriving the vitalities at each stage of development of sensitivity is not simply proportional to the number of vitalities at each stage but it is innumerable times higher at each stage. Therefore, doubts can be set at rest if we take the term depriving of vitality in its correct sense and do not mix it with deprivation of life.
Charity is the practical aspect of mercy. Therefore, charity is also religious. All detached omniscient Tirthankaras are infinitely charitable. All Tirthankaras give one hundred and eight hundred thousand gold coins in charity every day for one year just prior to the accepting monastic ordination. They give, without any discrimination, to anyone who comes to ask for it. Charitability is a sign of religiosity.
Another practical form of mercy - service to the needy -- has been included as one of the six internal types of penance. This means that it has been considered as more important form of penance as compared to six kinds of external penance like fasting, abstinence, etc. Amongst internal penances, too, it has been given a higher priority than the penance of self-study, and it has been said to be a means to overcome all causes of pains and miseries. In service, too, rendering service to the miserable creatures has been said to be better than serving the Lord. “One who serves those in pain and misery serves me," he is the true follower of my views. "I Service is nothing but to render the
LIV
Positive Non-Violence
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