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"Skandaka! Welcome to thee! A very hearty welcome to thee! The coming is good. But, Māgadha, tell me if it is true that Pingala, a follower of the nirgrantha order, asked you some questions, and that you could give no reply to them, and that this is the purpose of the coming here".
Hearing his own secret thoughts being uttered by Gautama so openly, Skandaka was taken by a great surprise, He said,
"Gautama ! Who is that wise man, or savant, who has known beforehand the inner thoughts of mine so soon"?
Gautama had a feeling of wholesome pride. Said he,
"Skandaka! My spiritual master, my spiritual preceptor, Séamaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira is the holder of supreme knowledge (kevala darśana). He is an Arhat, a Jina, a Kevalin, a knower of the past, present and future, all-knowing and all-seeing. None of your thoughts could remain unknown to him".
Skandaka expressed his desire to pay homage and obeisance to Mahāvira. Gautama conducted him before his Master, and Skandaka felt very happy to see him. With due regard, he moved round him thrice and bowed before him. Then addressing Skandaka, Mahavira said,
"'Indeed, Skandaka, in the city of Srāvasti, the Vaisalikas rāvaka Pingala had said unto thee as follows: 'Oh Māgadha! Are the spheres with limit or without limit? Are the souls with limit or without limit? Is the abode of the perfected beings with limit or without limit?. Are the perfected beings with limit or without limit? By what death does a being enlonged his stay in (various) existences, and by what death does he cut that stay short"?
Skandaka - "Bhante! You are correct, He asked me these questions".
