Confluence of Opposites

SR No.: 006704
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain
Publication Year: 1921
Total Pages: 422
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 408

390 GENERAL SURVEY AND CONCLUSIONS and beyond the limits which it has been possible for me to reach. Mr. Iyer's work already so often referred to in the course of these lectures, namely, the Permanent, History of Bharatvarsha, practically leaves little to be done with respect to Hindu Mythology, though I wish it could be more systematic and elucidative. The other systems have hitherto been in the nature of a sealed book, except for a highly creditable attempt at the elucidation of the mystery of the Apocalypse by an American writer, Mr. J. M. Pryse, who set to work with a great deal of enthusiasm and insight. There are not many errors to be found in the "Apocalypse Unsealed," and the few that there are are such as could hardly be avoided by an European or American writer who has not paid his homage, with due humility, to the Goddess and Patroness of Truth, better known as Jina-bâni, the Daughter of God (Tirthamkara). One instance will suffice for illustration. Mr. Pryse did not know the nature, function, divinity and number of the Holy Tirthamkaras, so that when he came across the passage about the 24 Spiritual Elders in the Apocalyptic drama which was explained in our seventh lecture, he was at a loss as to what to make of it, and in his perplexity hit upon the idea of 24 fortnights, which he hurriedly passes by without another word. It did not occur to him to ask, what earthly purpose could the 24 fortnights serve with reference to salvation ? You remember that these four and twenty Elders are seated on four and twenty seats, round the Throne of Life, at the initiation of an aspir.