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SUTRAKRITÂNGA.
burning coals by an iron pair of tongs, and addressed those philosophers, founders of systems of their own, differing in intellect, (&c., all down to) undertakings and plans, in the following way: 'Heighho! ye philosophers, (&c., all down to) undertakings and plans ! take this vessel full of burning coals and hold it for a minute in your hands! But do not take hold of it by a pair of tongs, nor put out the fire, nor come to the help of one of your own creed or of an alien creed (by putting out the fire, &c.); but fair and honest 1, without using any trick, stretch out your hands.' Having thus spoken, the man took hold of the vessel quite full of burning coals by an iron pair of tongs, and (offered to) put it in the hands of those philosophers. But the philosophers, (&c., all down to) undertakings and plans, held back their hands. On this the man addressed all the philosophers, (&c., all down to) undertakings and plans, in the following way: 'Heighho, ye philosophers, (&c., all down to) undertakings and plans! why do you hold back your hands ?' 'Our hand will be burned.' 'What then, if it is burned ?' '(We shall suffer) pain. Because you are afraid of pain, you hold back your hands!' (So are all creatures averse to pain). This is a maxim of general application ?, it is a true principle, a religious reflection 3; this maxim, this principle, this religious reflection holds good with regard to every (living being). Therefore those Sramanas and Brâhmanas who say that all sorts of living beings may be beaten or treated with violence or abused or tor
? Niyâgapa divanna.
2 Tulâ. 3 Samôsaranarsamavasarana, explained: dharmavikâra, viz. of the true adage: âtmavat sarvabhûtâni yah pasyati sa pasyati.
