Shrutsagar 2015 11 Volume 01 06

Author(s): Hiren K Doshi
Publisher: Acharya Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir Koba

Page 9

Beyond Doubt
Acharya Padmasagarsuri
In the Vedas at one place it is said “विज्ञानघन एवैतेभ्यो भूतेभ्यः समुत्थाय । aidong fazrufa, a deu-eznsfta ||”
and you have interpreted the above as follows "Vijnanaghana" i.e. the soul comes into existence when the five elements (Pancha Mahabhuta's) namely Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space come together and when they are destroyed the soul also ceases to exist. After death there is no such thing as soul or jiva. It is only on this basis you have concluded that there is no independent existence of Atman. As there are bubbles in water and there is intoxicating power in wine so also with the combination of the above mentioned five elements, Atman is born and when they split nothing exists. But at the same time in another context in the Vedas it has also been said:
"स वै अयमात्मा ज्ञानमयो मनोमयो वाङ्मयश्चक्षुर्मय आकाशमयो वायुमयस्तेजोमय आपोमयः पृथ्वीमयः क्रोधमयोऽक्रोधमयो हर्षमयश्शोकमयो, धर्ममयोऽधर्ममयः ॥
"Atman is attributed with the experiences of joy and sorrow as well as having its own existence. Such contradictory statements are the base of the doubt aroused in your mind".
Indrabhuti was very much astonished by the revealation of his doubt but at the same time his ego got a big blow as his short comings would now be the talk of the town.