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mana ascetics approached Ardraka Muni and began to extol the superiority of their race, saying: It is a verdict of the Védas, that he who daily feeds two thousand snataka (religious students entering on household life Brāhmaṇas, acquires a great mass of punya (merit), and he attains an existence as a déva (a celestial being.
Ardraka Muni-Naraka (hell) is ready for one who daily feeds two thousand students who are intent on house-holder life even after religious study He who feeds immoral persons censuring the path of mercy and praising the methods of cruelty to living beings is sure to go the hell pervaded withi ntense darkness.
Discussion with Sänkhya Mendicants.
On seeing the disappointment of the Brahmaņa ascetics at the honest and rather sharp reply, some Sankhya mendicants came there and said -You and I-all of us-have faith in our in dividual religion. There is not much difference between your religion and that of mine. Both the religions lay stress on right conduct, celibacy, and right knowledge, as being the chief factors leading to the Path of Liberation Our religions do not differ from each other with regard to the belief concerning the Universe. According to our Sankhya Philosophy, the category named "Purusa" is imperceptible, great, and everlasting. It is neither diminishing nor destructible It is the chief Atmā (soul) among all multitudes of living creatures like the Moon amongst the various groups of stars.
Ārdraka Mun-According to the tenets of your favourite philosophy no one will meet with death, and none will have to wander in Samsara By believing in one Universal Soul pervading the entire Universe, there will be no scope for designation as a Brāhmaṇa, Ksatriya (one of warrior class. Vaisya, (one of merchant or trader class) or as a Sudra (a low caste), or as a worm, or a butterfly or a bird, or as a snake, or as a human being, or as a celestial being Those who do religious preaching
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