Beyond Doubt

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

Page 95

out his life in order to gain heaven, after death. The result of performing such ceremony is the attainment of heaven and the aspirant does not benefit any other thing other than going to heaven. Heaven is the ultimatum of this ceremony and there is no scope for Nirvana or salvation. Hence such an aspirant never attains emancipation and this proves that there is no such thing as Nirvana. But there is another tenet of the Vedas which says, द्वे ब्रम्हणी वेदितच्चे परमपरं च । There are two 'Brahmas'. One is para (final beatitude) and the other is Apara (Posterior) From this statement one infers Nirvana to be a reality. Because of these two contradictory statements, you are unable to decide the truth and since years you are curious to know the truth."
Prabhas said, "Yes, my Lord, this is my doubt. I request you to clarify my doubt and enlighten me."
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The Lord Said, "जरामर्यं वा यदग्निहोत्रम" वा आपि
"The adverb is used in th sense of" i.e.'also'. Therefore the sentence is to be understood as follows. "One who is desirous of heaven should perform the sacrificial ceremony and at the same time, one who is desirous of 'Nirvana' should engage himself in various forms of worship like Dhyana', Samyama2, etc. Though the Vedic tenet does not mention about Nirvana, it also does not deny its existence. Heavenly life is the fruit of righteousness and hellish birth is the result of evil deeds, The combination of righteousness and evil deeds leads the soul to take birth in the mortal world. From these statements it is to be understood that when both good and evil Karmas are destroyed, the resultant is Nirvana."
Prabhas swami sai, "Oh Lord! The world is beginningless and
Dhyana Samyama
concentration
self restraint
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