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AHIMSA
153
except wanton cruelty. He is, therefore, required to practise ahimså in respect of class F. The muni is, however, able to avoid injuring others in all cases falling under classes D, E and F, and also to a great extent under class C. The omniscient Master who has conquered his lower nature does not cause any kind of himsa and the same is the case with the Siddha (the fully liberated soul). who has no material impurities left in Him.
Thus, the practical observance of the principle of ahimsá varies. with the circumstances of each soul, so that the least advanced begin with the renunciation of wanton cruelty, and gradually train themselves to observe the stricter vows of a muni. As personal wants and desires become limited to bare food, once a day or so, the practising of the higher forms of ahimsa is not felt to be irksome or difficult; and, finally, when the powers of the soul are developedi to perfection and the complete mastery over the lower nature is obtained, resulting in the manifestation of those subtle and powerful forces which enable the kevali (master) to defy all kinds of adverse influences-hunger, thirst, sickness and the like-the observance of absolute ahimsa becomes perfectly easy and natural.
· As Mr. Warren points out (see 'Jainism' by H. Warren), if we study the state of the mind of a person engaged in the act of killing, we shall notice that he is not only indifferent to the suffering and pain he is causing to his victim for his own selfish ends--sometimeshe actually delights in it-but has also no idea of the subtle forces engendered by such an act in his own system. His three characteristics, therefore, are thoughtlessness, selfishness and heartlessness, which are the greatest obstacles the soul encounters on the path of spiritual unfoldment. In the same way, the analysis of the mind of the victim discloses the presence, in addition to an intense feeling of pain, of such elements as horror, fear, hatred, resentment and despair of the worst possible
with the causing of himsá of the five-sensed type is much worse. Here you have all the outward indications of life as before, and in addition the power of hearing and generally also of understanding developed to some extent. The members of this class cry out when hurt, and at times also in anticipation of being hurt, and mutely appeal to you from distressed pitiful eyes. You may disregard their appeals, no doubt, but only by hardening your heart against the generous natural impulse. Finally, man actually pleads for dear life with tears and emotion, so that the very worst results must ordinarily ensue from the destruction of human life.
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