Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 64

168
nry platform was in the little grove of Asoka tree; and having gone there he placed on the masonry platform a seal inscribed with his name and his upper garment; and thenceforth he lived in conformity with the teachings of the Law which he had received in the presence of the Samana, the blessed Mahavira.
JAIN JOURNAL
Then one day, in the presence of that Kundakoliya, the servant of the Samana, there appeared a certain Deva.
Then that Deva snatched away from the masonry platform the seal inscribed with the name and his upper garment, and having done so and mounting up with them into mid-air under the sound of little bells, he thus spoke to Kundakoliya, the servant of the Samana: "O, Kundakoliya, thou servant of the Samana, good is the doctrine of Gosala, Mankhaliputra, which says that there is no such thing as exertion of labour or power or vigour or manly strength, but all things are unalterably fixed. On the other hand bad is the doctrine of the Law of the Samana, the blessed Mahavira, which says that there is such a thing as exertion or labour or power or vigour or manly strength, and that all things are not unalterably fixed."
Then that Kundakoliya, the servant of the Samana, spoke thus to that Deva: "If, Deva, the doctrine of the Law of Gosala Mankhaliputra is good, because it says, that there is no such thing as exertion or labour or power or vigour or manly strength, but all things are unalterably fixed; and if on the other hand, the doctrine of the Samana, the blessed Mahavira, is bad, because it says that there is such a thing as exertion of labour or power or vigour or manly strength, and that all things are not unalterably fixed; then, Deva, how didst thou acquire, how dist thou achieve this thy celestial bliss, thy celestial glory, thy celestial power of a Deva? Was it by dint of exertion or labour or power or vigour or manly strength or on the other hand, was it without exertion, without labour, without power, without vigour without manly strength?"
Then that Kundakoliya, the servant of the Samana, spoke thus to that Deva: "If, Deva, thou hast attained, acquired and achieved this thy celestial bliss, thy celestial glory, thy celestial power of a Deva without any exertion, or labour or power or vigour or manly strength, then those living beings in whom there is no exertion, labour, power, vigour or manly strength, why are they not also Devas? Hence, O Deva, I say that thou hast attained, acquired and achieved this thy celestial bliss, thy celestial glory, thy celestial power of a Deva by dint of exertion, labour, power, vigour and manly strength. Therefore, what