________________
82
RISABHA DEVA
ful things in the world, of most of which we are still ignorant. The blind ant may perhaps imagine that the range of life can embrace nothing more than a few species of insects and moths, and a few kinds of larger animals, including perhaps man! But can we say that there can be no life on any other planet than the earth, or that there can be no differences of bodies, functions and faculties in other regions of space? The testimony of the ancients, under the circumstances, is quite enough to settle the point, especially when we find it strongly confirmed by the fact that the limit placed on the number of the Tirthamkaras is quite unexplainable otherwise than on the supposition that devas took part in celebrating their kalyanakas (principal events of life), and built an Assembly Hall for Them to preach the Noble Truth.
