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Athavä Mat Darshan Ghanän, Kahe Upäy Anek; Temän Mat Sächo kayo, Bane Na Eh Vivek.
Or, multiple opinions and schools of thought stipulate the path in numerous ways; it is not possible to discern which one of them is right. (93)
Explanation & Discussion:
There are many religions and schools of thought that describe the path of liberation, but they prescribe it differently. Even within a religion there are various sects holding different views. Some state that acquiring right knowledge is the path of liberation; some believe that it can be gained by renouncing the worldly life. Some hold that austerities lead to the eradication of Karma, and therefore insist upon observing the same to the maximum possible extent. Some consider devotion to be the reliable way, while some contend that propitiating a particular deity is the way.
There are thus multiple views. The pupil has learnt about such views and knows that every one claims its point of view to be right. It is therefore a problem for him to figure out which view is correct. It seems as if he is in the midst of a maze and does not know how to come out of it. He therefore says that it is beyond his intelligence to decide which one of those views is right and should therefore be adopted.
Kai Jätimän Moksha Chhe, Kayä Veshamän Moksha; Teno Nishchay Nä Bane, Ghana Bhed E Dosh.
Which creed leads to liberation and which attire leads to it? It is not possible to decide it because of the multiplicity of views. (94)
Explanation & Discussion:
The pupil continues to describe his problem. There are too many sects, and each of them states that the path of liberation lies within its perimeter. Some state that aspirants belonging to a particular caste or creed are eligible for liberation. Some restrict the eligibility to males only. Many of them also insist upon a particular dress for the spiritual aspirants. There are also different opinions about the color of dress. Hindu monks insist on saffron color, Buddhists insist on a yellowish tinge; Jain Shwetambars insist on a white garb, while Digambars insist upon nakedness. Since there are too many differences on such issues, it is not possible to decide which belief is right and which needs to be followed.