Prolegomena to Prakritica et Jainica

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 93

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PROLEGOMENA TO PRAKRITICA et JAINICA
the potter of Palāsapura, and an adherent of the Ājiviyas, we get the leading doctrine of Gosāla. The story runs thus:
Saddālaputta once brought out his potter's ware from within his workshop and placed them in the sun. Mahāvīra happened to come upon the scene and asked "Saddālaputta, how is this potter's ware made ?"
Saddālaputta : “Reverend Sir, this ware is at first clay, then it is kneaded with water, and then it is mixed well together with ashes and dung; then it is placed on the wheel, and finally many bowls and jars of various sizes are made.” :
Mahāvīra : "Saddālaputta, is your ware made by dint of exertion and manly strength, or on the other hand, is it made without exertion and manly strength-kim utthāņeņam vā kammeņam vā balenam vā virienam vā purisakkāra-parakkamenam kajjanti udāhu anutthāņemam jāva apurisakkāraparakkameņam kajjanti?”
Saddālaputta : “Reverend Sir, it is made without exertion and manly strength, and all things are unalterably fixed."
Mahāvīra : "Saddālaputta, if any one of thy men were to steal thy unbaked or baked ware or scatter it about or make holes in it or let it drop into pieces or place it outside unguarded or if he were to indulge in outrageous familiarities with thy wife Aggimittă, what punishment would thou inflict on that man?”
Saddalaputta : “Reverend Sir, that man I will curse or beat or tie up or frighten or threaten or cuff or fine or bully or even before his time deprive him of his life.”
Mahāvīra then pointed out that if all things were unalterably fixed and depended not on exertion then he ought not to take any action against his servant's conduct for the servant was not responsible for it. This convinced Saddālaputta of the falseness of Ājiviya doctrines and he was converted to the creed of Mahāvīra.23
23. Upās. 7.195.200; 6.166