Book Title: Jaina Philosophy
Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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Page 150
________________ --Essential Philosophy of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism Prajapati thought : "They both go away without having perceived and without having known the Self and whoever of these two whether gods or demons will follow this doctrine will perish.” Now Virochana satisfied in his heart went to the demons and preached that doctrine to them, that the Self alone is to be worshipped, that the Self alone is to be served and that he who worships the Self and serves the Self gains both worlds, this and the next Therefore they call even now a man who does not give alms here who has no faith and offers no sacrifices an Asura, a demon; for this is the doctrine of demons. They deck out the body of the dead with perfumes, flowers and fine raiment by way of ornament and think they will thus conquer the world. But Indra before he had returned to the gods saw this difficulty. As this Self (the shadow in the water, is well adorned when the body is well adorned, well-dressed when the body is well dressed, well cleaned when the body is well cleaned, that Self will also be blind if the body is blind, lame if the body is lame, crippled if the body is crippled, and perish in fact as soon as the body perishes; therefore I see no good in this doctrine. Taking fuel in his hand he went again as a pupil to Prajapati. Prajapati said to him : "Well, Indra, you went away with Virochana, quite satisfied in your heart, what has brought you back?” Indra said, "Sir, as this Self is well adorned when the body is well adorned, well dressed when the body is well dressed etc., that Self will also be blind when the body is blind? Therefore I see no good in this doctrine." So it is indeed, Prajapati said 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 and then Prajapati said, "He who moves about happy in dreams, he is the Self, this is the immortal, the fearless, this is Brahman." Then Indra went away satisfied in his heart. But before he had returned 141 Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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