Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 54

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Bhagavān Maha vira
came to the Mahāsena Gardens to defeat the Bhagavān in a debate.
Bhagavān Mahāvīra was omniscient. He knew the thoughts of Indrabhūti. Revealing what Indrabhūti was thinking, Bhagavān Mahāvīra said, “Indrabhūti, you consider yourself a great scholar of the Vedic Scriptures, still you are sceptical about the existence of the soul. Isn't it so ?” Indrabhūti was stunned to hear this reading of his mind by the Bhagavān. By unveiling the doubt hidden in his mind, Bhagavān Mahāvīra at once won his veneration.
Enquiring rather in a submissive voice, Indrabhūti said, “Does the soul exist? How do you, Sir, assert its existence ?”
The Bhagavan said, “Yes, Gautama, the soul exists. I have perceived it. I assert its existence on the basis of my direct knowledge of the soul.”
Indrabhūti said, "Sir, I am a student of Logic. Don't you explain the existence of the soul in terms of Logic?” Bhagavān Mahāvīra replied, “The soul is non-perceptible to senses. The domain of Reason (or Logic) is limited only to those objects which are perceptible to senses. Where there is Direct Cognition, reason is rendered redundant". And, here, indeed, a logician felt himself helpless before a Direct Perceiver. He submitted himself to the Bhagavān along with his five hundred followers. He became a disciple of Bhagavān Mahāvira.
Agnibhūti, Another learned Brāhmaṇa and participant in the Great Sacrifice, was wonder-struck when he heard the news of the conversion of Indrabhūti. He became so inquisitive as to pay a visit to Bhagavān Mahāvīra with all his disciples. Bhagavān Mahāvīra took him unawares by remarking, "Agnibhūti, you are sceptical about the existence of karma". Agnibhūti was surprised to know how Bhagavān Mahāvīra could read his mind. He began to