Essential Philosophy of Hinduism Buddhism and Jainism

Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Z_Selected_Speeches_of_V_R_Gandhi_002018.pdf

Page 13

pupil to Prajāpati. Prajāpati said, “Well, Indra, you went away satisfied in your heart, what has brought you back ?” Indra told him his difficulty. Then Prajapati said, "So it is indeed, Indra. But I shall explain the true Self further to you. Live with me another thirty-two years." He lived with him another thirty-two years. Then Prajāpati said, "When a man being asleep, reposing and at perfect rest, sees no dreams, that is the Self, this is the immortal, the fearless, this is Brahman.” Indra went away, quite pleased ; but before he had returned to the gods he thought, "Truly, in this dreamless repose he does not know his Self that he is I, nor does he know anything that exists. He is gone to utter annihilation. So I see no good in this." Taking fuel in his hands he once more went to Prajāpati as his pupil. Prajāpati again asked : "Well, Indra, what again has brought you back ?" He again told him his difficulty. Prajāpati said : "So it is indeed, Indra ; I shall explain the true Self further to you and nothing more than this. Live here other five years." He lived there for other five years. This made in all 101 years. Prajāpati then said, “Indra, this body is mortal and always held by death. It is the abode of that Self which is immortal and without body. When in the body by thinking this body is I and I am this body, the Self is held by pleasure and pain. So long as he is in the body he cannot get free from pleasure and pain. But when he is free of the body, when he knows himself different from the body, then neither pleasure nor pain touches him. The wind is without body, the cloud, lightning
53