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119. THE LAME AND THE BLIND
(The following two episodes are meant to illustrate an important principle in Jain philosophy that ultimate salvation remains unattainable unless a proper co-ordination of knowledge and disciplined action is worked out.)
A) Once in a certain town a fire broke out. Every one started running away out of sheer panic. There were two men — one of whom was lame and the other blind. They very much wanted to run away. Both were unable to do so. The one who could see the danger was incapable of doing anything and the other who felt the danger did not know how and where he should run.
The lame man could not save himself from the fire and the blind man in the course of his futile fumbling landed in the fire itself.
B) it so happened that several people from a certain town sought refuge in an adjoining forest to escape from the tyranny from their king. But unfortunately their camp was raided by robbers and a big stampede followed. At the same time, a wild fire broke out. There were two men there one blind and the other lame. The latter saw that the blind man was almost walking into the flames in his attempt to run away. He stopped him and the blind man wanted to know from him by what way he should go to save himself. The lame man could not tell him exactly how he should go but said he would surely guide him to safety if he agreed to carry him on his shoulders.
With their wise co-ordination, they both reached a safe destination.
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