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A HORDE OF PARADOXES
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while a man full within approaches human creed to disburse his mental possessions The two situations are different with different outcomes in each case There is no anomaly between these, any way
'When the Lord witnessed truth face to face his tongue was mute Now he has realised the truth and it seeks its expression without
'The Lord was moving from imperfection to perfection How could any disciple be had then? Now he is grounded in perfection Imperfect follows the perfect It is but natural
The Lord was engaged in an ablution of his latencies The Ganges of austerities flowed then Now his latencies are fully purged The Ganges of austerities has fulfilled its purpose Austerities never exist for their own sake Tell me how a boat is needed once we cross over the river
'I assert vigorously, Gaushalak, sir, that the Lord's conduct is meaningful There is nothing anomalous in it'
Gaushalak attempted to undermine the thesis of Ardrakumar, 'But will you not concede Ardrakumar, that Mahavira is timid to the extreme?'
'There is no reason why I should'
'And pray, what is the reason for holding otherwise?' I would like to know what causes you pronounce him timid'
'Mahavira avoids the guest-houses where renowned scholars camp The cause is his scare of the disputations that might inevitably ensure in such a concourse is it not enough to justify my allegation of chicken-heartedness against him?
'The Lord has no idea to be inane and puerile The spot that suits his purpose is chosen by him The questions that are fit for reply are attended to The cause is not fear but rationality behind the actions"
The Acharya was viewing the Lord from a rigid angle Hence his vision yielded a portrait full of criss-cross contra
1 Suyagado', 2/6