Beyond Doubt

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 38

and you have interpreted the above as follows "Vijnanaghana" i.e. the soul comes into existence when the five elements (Pancha Mahabhuta's) namely Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space come together and when they are destroyed the soul also ceases to exist. After death there is no such thing as soul or jiva. It is only on this basis you have concluded that there is no independent existence of Atman. As there are bubbles in water and there is intoxicating power in wine so also with the combination of the above mentioned five elements, Atman is born and when they split nothing exists. But at the same time in another context in the Vedas it has also been said :
"स वै अयमात्मा ज्ञानमयो मनोमयो वाड्मयश्चक्षुर्मय् आकाशमयो वायुमय् स्तेजोमय आपोमयः पृथ्वीमयः क्रोधमयो, क्रोधमयो हर्षमय, श्शेकमयो धर्ममयोऽधर्ममयः ॥
"Atman is attributed witht the experiences of joy and sorrow as well as having its own existence. Such contradictory statements are the base of the doubt aroused in your mind".
Indrabhuti was very much astonished by the revealation of his doubt but at the same time his ego got a big blow as his short comings would now be the talk of the town.
Somehow he consoled himself and thought, "While studying the Vedas, He also must have developed the same doubt which I have. Hence I shall not accept his greatness until and unless he is able to clear my doubt". As it is said.
"यस्थाग्रे न गलति संशयः समूलो
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We cannot call him a Pandit i.e. Scholar who is unable to clarify our doubts completely. Indrabhuti said to Lord Mahavira,