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without knowing the current public opinion usually become unsuccessful, and wander perpetually in endless Saṁsāra and they do much harm to others. Only those who preach True Religion and Right Belief after knowing the real nature of all the objects of the Universe through the medium of Kévala Jnāna (Perfect Knowledge), can cross the ocean of Samsāra and they alone can lead others to the Right Path (worthy ascetics ! It is your misbelief that you assert the similarity of ascetis of excellent character with that of wandering mendicants destitute of any virtuous qualities.
Discussions with Hasti-Tāpasas.*
When, however, Ārdraka Muni was going on - ward, he was addressed thus by some hasti - tāpasas: - We kill only one big elephant, during one year, with an arrow and we maintain our bodies on its flesh for the whole year. We there-by give protection to the lives of innumerable other living beings.
Ārdraka Muni -Ascetics who kill one animal only during one year, cannot be styled as a-hımsaka sidhus (ascetics who abstain perfectly from doing the least injury to animals, because they are not entirely free from doing any harm to living creatures. If on this account these mendicants be considered to be merciful, all the house-holders should be thought to be harmless as they do hot kill animals outside their own limited boundary of work Those hard-hearted people who calling themselves as as. cetics kill even one animal during the whole year and who justify the cruel procedure cannot do anything for elevation of their soul and they cannot even attain Kévala Jnāna. (Perfect Knowledge) Only those who remain in religious contemplation and protect the lives of living beings by mind, speech and body, can cross the ocean of Samsāra and they alone can preach True Religion
*A variety of hermits practising penance
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