Bhagvana Mahavira

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

Page 67

Transvaluation
59 On the other hand, religious people sustain themselves by moral means. It is better if such people are strong."
Bhagavān Mahāvīra viewed the truth in the light of anekäntavāda, and propounded it in terms of Relativism, which could be easily grasped by a person desiring to know
On another occasion Bhagavān Mahāvīra was staying in the sanctuary known as Chatrapalásaka on the outskirts of the township of Kệtañjala. Srāvasti was situated just near this town. A wandering recluse named Skandaka lived in Srā. vastí. A Jaina ascetic named Pingala came to Skandaka and asked him the following questions :
"Is the universe finite or infinite ?” "Is the soul finite or infinite ?" "Is the emancipation finite or infinite ?” "Is the emancipated soul finite or infinite ?"
Skandaka failed to answer these questions satisfactorily. He was himself confused. He came to know of the stay of Bhagavān Mahāvīra in the Chatrapalāsaka sanctuary and went to see him there. Bhagavān Mahāvīra, by his intuitive power, revealed the questions confusing Skandaka in such a way that the latter was wonder-struck. The following were the replies by the Bhagavān :
"Skandaka, the universe is finite as well as infinite. It is finite from the points of view of substance and space, and infinite from the points of view of time and the modifications of substance. In the same way the soul, the emancipation and the emancipated souls are finite from the points of view of substance and space, and infinite from the points of view of time and the modifications of substance." Skandaka was thus initiated in the philosophy of anekānta. He could now expound the Truth to others.