________________
CO-EXISTENCE AND RELATIVITY
203
'How he it, sire ?'
A spiritually obtuse man may better keep sleeping lest he should induce sleep in others'
'A spiritual being were better awake for his waking shall wake up other somnolescents'
'Sirel Were it better for the individuals to be weak or to be strong ?'
'Some individuals were better weak Others were better strong'
'How be it, sire?'
'A spiritually lethargic individual were better weak lest he should cause inconvenience to others by evil means of livelihood
'A spiritual being were better strong, since his vocation never pains another'
'Sire! Were it better for the individuals to be lethargic or to be up and going ?
'Certain individuals were better lethagic and certain others up and going
'How the two statements are to be reconciled, sire ?'
'An indulgent were better lethrgic, lest he should create trouble for others
'A restrained being were better up and going since he may serve others thereby 1 4 A roving monk Skandaka lived at Shravastı 2 The Lord visited Kayanjala He came to the Lord Said the Lord, 'Skandakal You harbour a doubt in your mind whether the worlds are limited in number or unlimited'
'Yes, sire I wish an interpretation of this riddle'
'l interpret it from a relativistic angle The world is limited in number as well as unlimited'
'How can it be so, sire ?'
1 2
'Bhagwai', 12/53-58 Eleventh year of tirthankarhood
