________________
I am the Soul
363
atma be seen if it exists. In today's scientific age, most people have such a thinking. They say, 'we will believe what we can see. We will not believe what we cannot see'. But they do not know that there are many things that cannot be seen by the eye yet they have to be accepted either with faith or through their effect.
There is an anecdote. Our past President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher. He not only had a knowledge of the philosophies of India but had also studied world religions.
Once a group of students came to meet him and began a discussion on philosophy. Indian philosophies always have the aspect of Soul. If any philosophical topic were to be discussed, it would certainly involve the soul. There was a discussion on the Soul. One of the students said, "Sir, we do not believe in the soul at all! You say so many things about the Soul, but we would believe only if you could hold the atma in your hand and show us!"
"Brothers! That atma exists is a truth coming down the ages. Your believing or not believing does not wipe out the existence of atma. It is an eternal truth."
"No, Sir! We are not going to get cowed down by your eminence and accept your statement. Show us the atma in your hand and we will believe!"
"Okay, now tell me! Is there an intelligent student among you?"
"Oh yes! But why?"
"Look! That atma is a substance can be understood only by a very intelligent person."
"This fellow amongst us is very bright. He can understand any principle immediately. He always stands first in the class."
Jain Educationa International
For Personal and Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org