________________
69
ness of god Vişou; but because of them, it is not to be understood that there does not exist any other object except Visņu. Similarly, "that which has existed in the past, and which will exist in future is nothing else but Ātmā-the soul," is a statement that praises the greatness of the Soul. It is not to be taken in the sense that piety and sin do not exist.
Besides, there must be some cause of the happiness or misery experienced by every living body; because, result (effect) without a cause, is impossible and that cause is punya ( piety ) or pāpa (sin).
On hearing the words of the Lord, in this way the doubt of Arya Acala-bhrātă disappeared, and he was now, convinced that Punya (religious merit or piety) and Pápa (sın) do exist. His doubt being thus removed, Arya Acala-bhrātā along with his three hundered disciples, accepted Diksã from the Lord.
End of Discussion with the Ninth Gañadhara
455
Discussion with Métārya Gamadhara.
Coming to know that the nine upādhyāyas including Indrabhati Gautama and others, had accepted Dîkşă from the Lord, the tenth scholar named Arya Métārya said to himself :--The eminent preceptor who is revered as their Guru by Indrabhùti and others deserves veneration from nie also, and consequently I too, should approach him and get my doubt cleared'. With this idea in his mind, Arya Métärya accompained by his three hundred disciples went to the Lord
अथ परमवसन्दिग्धं मेतार्य नाम पण्डितमवरम । ऊचे विभुर्यथास्थं वेदार्थ किं न भावयसि ? ॥१॥ Atha para-bhava sandigdham Métārya nāma pandita pravaram Ucó vibhu-r.-yathästham Védáratham kim na bliavayasi ?
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org