Dhammapada

SR No.: 007674
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Max Muller
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1881
Total Pages: 2540
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 45 MB

Page 629

172
ON KNOWLEDGE OF THE VEDAS.
CH.
12. 'But then, Vâsettha, is there a single one of the Brâhmans versed in the Three Vedas who has ever seen Brahmâ face to face ?'
No, indeed, Gotama.
But is there then, Våsettha, a single one of the teachers of the Brâhmans versed in the Three Vedas who has seen Brahmâ face to face ?'
No, indeed, Gotama!'
But is there then, Vâsettha, a single one of the pupils of the teachers of the Brâhmans versed in the Three Vedas who has seen Brahmâ face to face?'
No, indeed, Gotama!'
But is there then, Vasettha, a single one of the Brâhmans up to the seventh generation who has seen Brahmâ face to face ?
'No, indeed, Gotama!'
13. Well then, Vâsettha, those ancient Rishis of the Brâhmans versed in the Three Vedas, the authors of the verses, the utterers of the verses, whose ancient form of words so chaunted, uttered, or composed, the Brâhmans of to-day chaunt over again or repeat; intoning or reciting exactly as has been intoned or recited-to wit, Atthaka, Vâmaka, Vâmadeva, Vessâmitta, Yamataggi, Angirasa, Bhâradvâga, Vâsettha, Kassapa, and Bhagudid even they speak thus, saying: “We know it, we have seen it, where Brahmâ is, whence Brahmâ is, whither Brahma is ?”
'Not so, Gotama!'
14. “Then you say, Vasettha (that not one of the Brâhmans, or of their teachers, or of their pupils, even up to the seventh generation, has ever seen Brahmâ face to face. And that even the Rishis of
· See Maha Vagga VI, 35, 2.
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