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The students were not satisfied with the explanation and insisted upon some concrete proof. The man then said that he would show the soul to the most intelligent among them. The students brought forward one of them and said that he had the sharpest intellect. Thereupon the man asked that student to first show his intellect and thereafter he would show the soul. The student was exasperated by that argument and said that intelligence being intangible it cannot be physically brought forth. The learned man then replied that the same logic applies to soul. The students had thus to admit of the intangible soul.
Mäte Chhe Nahin Atamä, Mithyä Moksha Upäy; E Antar Shankä Tano, Samajävo Sadupäy.
There is thus no soul and therefore the means of liberation are futile, kindly show me the right way to remove this internal doubt of mine. (48)
Explanation & Discussion:
The pupil now concludes his arguments. He says, "I feel that there cannot be anything like a soul as separate from the body, brain, etc. If it is not there, where is the question of its bondage or liberation?" It is said: "Mulo Nästi, kuto Shakhä" (If there is no root, how can there be branches)? As such, there would hardly be any reason for pursuing the path of liberation.
The pupil does not actually believe in what he is arguing out. He has resorted to it only for eliciting the clarification. He has faith in the Guru. He understands that if the Guru talks of soul, it must exist. Therefore he surrenders to him and says, "This is the doubt that has been plaguing my mind. Please give me satisfactory reply about the existence of soul so as to enable me to proceed on the path of liberation."
It would be noticed that the above doubts arise by virtue of identification of soul with the body. The pupil has raised the following points against the existence of soul: (1) it is not seen, (2) it has no form, (3) it is not experienced, (4) it can be the same as body, senses, or breath, (5) there is no separate sign of its existence, and (6) it is not visible like a pot or cloth. The Guru will now clear these points one by one and establish the existence of soul to the satisfaction of the pupil.
