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DEFINITIONS OF STEALING AND UNCHASTITY
would be tantamount to theft, as these are not given by anybody. No, it is not a fallacy. The convention regarding theft can refer only to things to which giving and not giving apply. How does it follow? It is implied in the use of the term 'not given'. Even then when the ascetic moves about for food, he enters roads and gateways. But that will not constitute stealing, as these are left free for anyone to pass through. For instance, the ascetic does not enter gateways which are closed, as these are not left free. Otherwise 'out of passion' is supplied from the previous sutra. The taking of anything out of passion is called stealing. And there is no passion in the ascetic who passes through the streets. Hence it follows that activity actuated by impure thought is stealing, whether external objects are taken or not.
The fourth vow of unchastity is defined then.
मैथुनमब्रह्म
Maithunamabrahma
16. Copulation is unchastity.
Mithunam is the desire of man and woman (members of the opposite sexes) to embrace each other owing to the rise of conduct-deluding karmas. The activity of a couple is maithunam, but not all activities. How is it so? It is well-known to all that copulation is the action of man and woman prompted by sexual desire. Similarly, the texts referring to the desire of a mare and a stallion indicate the same thing. Moreover 'out of passion' is supplied. By that, action leading to sexual pleasure of a couple is alone included and not all activities. That which develops virtues such as non-injury is chastity. Not chaste is unchaste. What is it? It is copulation. Copulation promotes injury etc. He who indulges in copulation causes injury to immobile and mobile beings. He utters falsehood, takes away things not given, and accumulates possessions both living and non-living.
॥ १६ ॥
(16)
The fifth, namely attachment to possessions, is defined next. मूर्च्छा परिग्रहः Murccha parigrahaḥ
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॥ १७ ॥ (17)
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