________________
DISCOURSE II
SOUL IS DISTINCT FROM BODY Etc.
Gentlemen,
Our topic about 'SOUL' is in continuation with reference to the description of soul traversing in this world for a short duration from 258th stanza of thirty sixth chapter of Uttaradhyayana sutra of highly adept, author of the sacred scriptures.
The existence of any entity can be established in two ways. Firstly by perception i.e. apprehended with naked eyes and by perception of its operative effects. Now the existence of Soul can be known by its operative effects and the same has been explained with arguments and examples in the previous discourse. hope it carries conviction.
I
You believed in the existence of Soul, but you could not convince any one on this point, but we hope you can now convince any one on this point---"The existence of Soul."
Many of your boys and girls study either in schools or in colleges. They are not taught about religion. The Government has prohibited such teaching in some of the schools. When such condition prevails how can they know anything about Soul, Karma or religion--just call them by your side for a moment and talk to them on 'Soul' and pour into their hearts what is said here. Don't spare yourselves with an excuse of having no leisure or by saying "What can we do?" You know well that it is the duty of a Jain householder to preach religion to one's near and dear ones. The head of the family who does not preach religion to his dependents neglects an important duty.
Your mission does not end by merely believing in the existence of Soul. Such a belief is only a stepping stone. A visitor of Bombay who not conversant with various localities of Bombay cannot freely move in Bombay and cannot enjoy Bombay. Similarly, how can one, not conversant with the real nature of Soul or not conversant with the attributes of Soul, cultivate progress of One's own soul? How can he enjoy the real bliss of Soul? Therefore, it is quite essential to know in full the nature of Soul.
15