Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 2 Vibhag 2

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

Page 70

62
Atha déva-visaya-sandėha-samyutam Maurya-putra-nāmănanı Ucé vibhu-r--yathästham Védārtham kim na bhāvayası ?
To Maurya-putra who had a doubt on the subject of the existence of dévas (gods, deities), the Lord said:—Why do you not consider the correct meaning of the Vedic verses? You have a doubt in your mind whether the gods exist or not and this doubt of yours has resulted from contradictory Védic statements
The Vedic verse creating doubt in your mind is as follows.
को जानाति मायोपमान् गोर्गणान् इन्द्र-यम-वरुण कुबेरंदीन् । 1. Ko jānāti inayopamân girvāṇān Indra-Yama -Varuņa-Kubéradin
Who knows the gods viz Indra-Yama-Varuņa - Kub.ira etc. who resemb'e an illusion ? Because of the above mentioned Védic statement you are under the impression that there are tio gods or deities Your method of interpretation is this ; -
Who is sure of the existence of Indra-Yama - Varuna-and kubera etc. who resemble an illusion ? That is to say- the gods Indra Yama Varuna etc are but an illusion; and just as, objects in a dream do not, in fact, exist, in the same way, gods also, in fact, are non-existent.
Besides, you believe that the souls residing in hell, cannot come to this world because they are dependent and are overwhelmed with alfliction, and as there is no chance for them to be visible, we shall have to keep faith in the words of the Holy Scriptures that they do exist But the gods, who on the other hand, are free and powerful, are able to descend to this world, but as they remain invisible, you are tempted to believe that they do not exist.
Again, coining across other Védic statements describing the prowess of gods, you have a doubt produced in your mind whether the gods do exist or not.
The following are the Vedic words which describe the power of gods :