Agam 26 Prakirnak 03 Maha Pacchakhana Sutra

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 29

XXVIII: MAHĀPRATYĀKHYĀNA-PRAKĪRṆAKA
infinite times. Every living being cannot be born as Cakravarti infinite times. Therefore, this version is contrary to the canonical content and cannot be accepted." In this context, we would like to say that firstly this mention is not for every living being as interpreted by Muniji. In the original text, it has nowhere been mentioned that every living being gains emperorship (Cakravartitva) infinite times. Secondly, it is a verse in the genre of a sermon, wherein it only aims at telling that the worldly creatures are not satisfied in spite of gaining divine and rich mundane enjoyments infinite times. To interpret this general mention contrary to its intended meaning is not proper. "Indians are poor" is a general observation, but it doesn't mean that no Indian is rich.
Muniji had, initially, correctly said that all (entirety of) living beings gain emperorship (Cakravartitva) infinite times, but in the very next breath he says every (pratyeka) living being cannot gain Cakravartitva infinite times. The confusion has been caused by this very volte-face. In our view this has happened because of his inability to correctly interpret the word 'patta that is there in the verse. Possibly, Munijī had interpreted this very word, patta, as 'pratyeka - every' and misinterpreted the entire verse. Actually, the word 'patta' means 'to gain' and not 'every'. If he had correctly interpreted this word, he would have arrived at the purported meaning and not the one that he arrived at and caused the entire confusion.
Here, we would also like to say one thing very clearly and unequivocally that the texts of the canonical works are relative in nature and must be interpreted with reference to the context. Words of the Jinas are never absolutist. If the canonical texts are interpreted with absolutist view-point, many contradictions, which