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THE TIRTHA (MORAL ORDER) AND THE TIRTHANKAR
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Indrabhuti was nonplussed How could he know? This revelation of the closely-guarded philosophical doubts of his was enigmatic Could it be that Mahavira is truly omniscient? He asked himself How could he divine the sharer of this metaphysical quiz that puzzles me? How could he know of it, then ? he felt, yes I seem to be noosed in this cesspool of events beyond my comprehension To be freed from it is beyond my compétence it is closing round me
Said the Lord once more, 'Indrabhuti, pray, why doubt your own existence? How can that which has no beginning and end have a middle? The existence of the present is an indication of the past and the future Not an atom ceases to exist How then, shall man cease to exist ? Existence is a perennial flame that at no point of time was extinguished and never shall be None can deny this self-evident truth'
'If subtle principles are denied how shall motion and space be accepted ? This jiva is a transcendental truth Don't muffle it up with sensory perception but realize it by means of transcendental experience'
Truth found expression in the Lord's statement The doubt in Indrabhuti's mind was unravelled He became aware of his existence Truth dawned upon him like a flash of lightning An irresistible urge to realise his self swept him off his feet Chocked with emotion he said, 'My Lord, I crave to realize my self Pray be my guide and grant me your generous protection'
'Amen,' said the Lord
Indrabhuti consulted his disciples also They all expressed a desire to tread in the footsteps of their master Indrabhuti dedicated himself to the Lord alongwith his five-hundred disciples an initiation for self-realisation had been embraced
By thus initiating himself with the Shramana pioneer, Indrabhuti had added a feather to the cap of the great Brahminic tradition Brahmin scholars have a great reputation as avid and unbiased learners and explorers of truth These twin virtues of quest for learning and desire for truth won for them the laurels of wisdom and high accomplishment
