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260
bhāvanā of neutrality is a person unworthy of instruction—that is, an incapable person.
TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA
In the absence of fear for things worldly and of dispassion in relation to the same vratas like non-violence etc. are not possible at all; hence one practising these vratas first of all requires such fear and such dispassion. As for the seed of these fear and dispassion, that is sown through a reflection over the nature of the world in general and of body. Hence it is that one is instructed to practise a bhāvanā in the form of a reflection over the nature of these two.
All living beings whatsoever do suffer pain-much or little. Life is utterly perishable, nor is any other thing of perdurable nature. Such a reflection over the nature of the world in general puts an end to one's infatuation with this world and generates in one fear in relation to it. Similarly, through a reflection over the transitory impure and worthless nature of body there is generated in one a feeling of non-attachment or dispassion towards objects internal as well as external. 4-7.
The Nature of Violence :
The destruction of life due to an act involving negligence is violence. 8.
The five vratas, non-violence etc. that have been described earlier if they are to be properly understood and implemented during the course of one's life-activity then it is necessary that the nature of the defilements standing opposed to them be correctly comprehended. Hence begins this section dealing with the five defilements in question; of these the first-viz. violence-is defined in the present aphorism.
The present definition of non-violence has been rendered complete through two constituents; of these the first is pramattayoga (translated as 'an act involving negligence') meaning an act that involves attachment-cum-aversion and is careless, the second prāṇavadha (translated as 'the destruction of life'). Here the first constituent is of the form of a cause, the second of the
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