What is Jainism

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

Page 70

60
ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES
developed and strengthened by the destruction of desires. These divine qualities and attributes are termed gods in the language of symbolism. Hence, the gods are strengthened by the offering of sacrifices to Agni.
Such is the character of Agni, which, as you are aware, is not only venerated by the Hindus but also by the followers of the Zend Avesta. The entire scheme of the Vedic Mythology is thus clearly reducible to the following important points:
(1) the individual soul is its own God-the jivatman and the paramatman are one;
(2) the pure soul is fully divine, being endowed with Omniscience which is a mark of divinity;
(3) this natural divinity of the soul is marred by its union with matter; and
(4) asceticism is the path which leads to Perfection and Godhood.
We thus see that the Vedic Mythology is nothing but an expression, in symbolical language, of some of the most important scientific truths about Life. The subject is highly interesting, but I cannot afford to dwell any longer on it. You will find it discussed in my 'Practical Path' and in the Key of Knowledge' which deals with different mythologies in a cosmopolitan spirit of enquiry. I may say that today there exists a valuable work, in three volumes by a learned Hindu writer, which explains hundreds of such pictograms in the way in which I have explained the secret import of the primary trimurti of Surya, Indra and Agni before you, and the merit of the work is that it cites chapter and verse in support of its elucidations. There has been published, recently, a similar work by a Muhammadan investigator which explains many of the allegories of Islam. The Zoroastrian allegorical teaching is partially explained in the Bundahish. In this connection I may also refer you to my Confluence of Opposites' that explains a good many of the subtle conceptions of different faiths, to bring out their hidden charm and to establish an abiding unity amongst the prevailing religions of the world. I may add that a true and lasting reconciliation among different religions is not possible today except by the proper interpretation of the pictorial script of
•