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Hearing this, Kundakaulik said, "Dev! Tell me one thing. This divine power, radiance, brilliance, and wealth that you have attained, did you achieve it through effort and exertion, or without effort and exertion? Did you attain all this without effort and exertion?"
The Dev replied, "Kundakaulik! I attained this without effort and exertion."
Upon this, Kundakaulik said, "Dev! If this is the case, then tell me, why have other beings who do not exert effort and exertion not become Devas like you? If you say that you attained this divine power and wealth through effort and exertion, then how can you call the principles of Goshalak, which do not accept effort and exertion, beautiful? And how can you call the principles of Bhagwan Mahavira, which accept effort and exertion, ugly? Your statement is false."
Hearing Kundakaulik's logical and reasoned statement, the Dev could not find an answer. He was intimidated. He silently placed the ring and scarf on the stone slab and returned with his head down.
By a fortunate coincidence, Bhagwan Mahavira arrived in Kampilya again during his Janapad-Vihar. As soon as Kundakaulik came to know, he went to pay his respects to Bhagwan. He received his presence, listened to the Dharmadeshana.
Bhagwan Mahavira was omniscient and all-seeing. He knew everything that had happened. He addressed Kundakaulik and told him about the entire incident that had occurred in the Ashoka Vatika and asked him, "Why? Did all this happen?" Kundakaulik said with utmost humility and respect, "Prabhu! You know everything. Exactly as you said, it happened."
Bhagwan was pleased with Kundakaulik's religious faith and knowledge. He praised him, saying, "Kundakaulik! You are blessed, you have done very well."
To inspire the Sadhus and Sadhvis present there, Bhagwan said to them, "Even while living as a householder, how capable a knower of truth Kundakaulik is! He silenced another follower with logic and justice."
Bhagwan expressed hope that Sadhus and Sadhvis who study the twelve Angas are capable of doing this. They should have such ability.
Bhagwan's intention in giving so much importance to Kundakaulik's incident was that every devotee should be firm in their religious principles, and also have knowledge of their principles and the ability to present them before others, so that other followers who engage in religious discussions with them cannot influence them. Rather, they should be silenced by their logical and reasoned analysis. In fact, Bhagwan Mahavira encouraged all devotees to remain active in the knowledge of truth.