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THE VISIBLE TENDENCIES THROUGH THE INVISIBLE GAUGE
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Upon this Dirghatapasvı Nirgrantha, narrated to him verbatım the discussion that had been held between them
'Bleesed be ye austere fellow! The outmoded mental penitence, as depicted by the well-read householder Nirgrantha Dirghatapasvi before shramana Gautam, is nothing before the supreme physical penitence it is the physical penitence that is supremely responsible for conducing to sin and not oral and mental penitence!'1
Lord Mahavira was the propounder of non-exclusive perspective He would not reckon a fact exclusively Body is the seat of tendencies Hence physical deed may be the root of all evil Mind also prompts one to act, hence it may also be responsible for the evil. The touchstone of good and evil tendencies is mind alone
Lord Mahavira was then at Rajgriha King Shrenik went to him to pay respects He saw the monk and erstwhile king Prasannachandra and was filled with admiration He bowed to the meditating Prasannachandra and moved onwards On approaching to the Lord he said, 'Sirel on way I saw Prasannachandra His mode of meditation is truly impressive He was fully absorbed in meditation If he dies in this state he is sure to win liberation Am I correct, sire ?'
'No' 'Why, sire ?'
You have seen the body only Samadhi is measured by another criterion'
'What shall be his destiny, then?' 'Hell' 'Hell? Yes, hell' 'How be it, sire ?'
'The body does not travel alone to the hell That which can suffer internal perdition is even now on way to hell'
'I am confused, sire Pray solve my riddle'
1
Mojjhimnikaya, Upalisuitam ,6/1-21
