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CHAPTER-VIII
431
Answer: Such contradictory statements are the results of bad times. In this era the persons possessing direct (independent) knowledge and persons highly versed in scriptural knowledge are not found and the Shastras have been composed by the persons of ordinary intelligence; due to lack of knowledge some meaning might not have been understood truly by them; therefore it is written so. Or, in this era, in Jaina faith too passionate persons are found and such persons might have written such statements due to some purpose. In this way such statements are found; that is why in Jain Shastras contradiction seems to be existing.
Wherever such contradictions are found, one should ascertain as to who is more authentic - the author making this statement or the author making that statement. After such deliberation, one should treat the statement of great preceptors to be authentic. Further, many Shastras are found in Jaina faith; one should compare their tradition. Those statements, which are in accordance with the set tradition, should be treated as authentic. Even after such deliberation, if it is not possible to ascertain the truth-untruth, then one should believe that "whatever is reflected in omniscience is only authentic", because without ascertainment of truth about Devas (omniscientArihanta God) and Tattvas etc., the path of liberation is not at all possible. In any case, such ascertainment is possible; therefore, if someone states their nature contrarily then one can himself perceive the truth. Further, if other statements cannot be ascertained or there remains some doubt about them, or even their contrary knowledge is obtained and yet such belief exists that whatever is known by omniscient is authentic, then there will be no impediment in the path of liberation.
Question: As the different types of statements are found in Jina's religion, similarly in Shastras of other faiths also different contradictory statements are found. You have somehow clarified the contradictions found in the statements of your faith and you impute blemishes to such statements found in other faiths. This shows that you suffer from attachment-aversion feeling?
Answer: Though the statements may be of various types, yet if they foster one and the same purpose then there is no fault; but if
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