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DISCOURSE 92
THE KINDS OF VIOLENCE
You get an answer to your question. The Tirthankar Bhagwan has said that violence is of two kinds. 1. Hethuhimsa (deliberate killing) and 2. Swaroophimsa (violence that is not intended). Hethuhimsa is that kind of violence which is caused by means of infatuation or by the promptings of sensual desires and passions. In causing this kind of violence, man has the intention to cause violence to jivas. In this case, his action of violence is impelled by his own intention. Therefore, Hethuhimsa is totally prohibited. Swaroophimsa is the name given to that kind of violence which we commit unknowingly. When we are engaged in carrying out some noble endeavour, on account of it, without our intention, some jivas may die. This is called Swaroophimsa. As householders, you cannot avoid this kind of violence. If you want to discard Swaroophimsa, you must receive initiation into sadhudharma and become a sadhu. In the life of a sadhu, Swaroophimsa also does not take place. Hethuhimsa, of course, can never take place in the life of a sadhu.
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Another new question arises in respect of Swaroophimsa. Does not a grihastha gather sinful karmas by committing Swaroophimsa? A grihastha may get a temple built. He may get an upashraya or some other religious centre built or he may get some other building constructed. In the process of getting those buildings constructed, some jivas may die. Then does he not gather sinful karma from committing that violence though unintentionally?
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IT IS VIOLENCE; BUT
You get an answer to this question like this; you gather sinful karma to the extent of the violence you commit thus but the bondage of that karma will not be deep. It will not be Nikachith (the karma whose fruits must be experienced). The bondage of that karma will be light like a raw or thin colour. Just as it is possible to wash off a light colour easily, you can wash off that karma by means of the water of some auspicious assiduity or diligent activity. The devotion
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