Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
## Seventh Study: Summary: In Brief
[151] It seemed agreeable. They asked him, "How were these pots made?" Sakdalputra said, "O Bhagavan! First, the clay was collected, soaked, mixed with ash and cow dung, kneaded, and all was combined. Then it was placed on the potter's wheel and different types of pots were made."
Bhagavan Mahavira said, "Sakdalputra! Tell me one thing. Were these pots made by effort, human endeavor, and exertion, or by non-effort, non-human endeavor, and non-exertion?"
Sakdalputra said, "O Bhagavan! By non-effort, non-human endeavor, and non-exertion. Because effort, human endeavor, and exertion have no significance. Whatever happens is predetermined."
Bhagavan Mahavira said, "Sakdalputra! Imagine someone steals your dry, wind-blown pots, scatters them, breaks them, or commits violence against your wife Agni Mitra. What punishment would you give him?"
Sakdalputra said, "O Bhagavan! I would scold him, beat him severely, and what's more, I would kill him."
Bhagavan Mahavira said, "Sakdalputra! Why so? You do not believe in effort and human endeavor. You consider all actions as predetermined. Then what is the role of the person who does such a thing? It is predetermined. How can you consider him guilty? If you say that he does it intentionally, then your principle of not believing in effort and human endeavor, and considering everything as predetermined, is wrong, false."
Sakdalputra was an intelligent and wise man. From this short conversation, the true essence was understood by him. He attained enlightenment. His head bowed in reverence at the feet of Bhagavan Mahavira. As the wise men of that time did, he accepted the twelve types of Shravak Dharma from Bhagavan Mahavira. Inspired by him, his wife Agni Mitra also did the same. Thus, the husband and wife attained Sadbhav and started utilizing their time in religious devotion along with their household life.
Sakdalputra was the chief Shravak of Mankhaliputra Goshalak. When Goshalak heard this, he did not like it due to sectarian attachment. He thought to himself, "I should convince Sakdalputra again and bring him back to my path." For this purpose, he came to Polaspur. He stayed at the Ajivika's shelter. He kept his utensils, equipment, etc., there and went to Sakdalputra's place with some of his disciples. Sakdalputra had already attained the true essence and the true Guru, so he did not show the same reverence, respect, and honor that he used to show when Goshalak came. He sat silently. Goshalak was very cunning, he understood immediately. He devised a strategy. To please Sakdalputra, he praised Bhagavan Mahavira profusely. Sakdalputra could not understand this cunning behavior of Goshalak. Goshalak's intention was that if I get another opportunity to have a religious conversation with Sakdalputra, I will change his mind. Sakdalputra, towards Bhagavan Mahavira...