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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
SHRUTSAGAR
December-2016 CHAPTER 10 On getting the news about both his elder brothers, Indrabhuti and Agnibhuti having become the Lord's disciples, Vayubhuti, along with his five hundred students began his journey to the place of sermon of the Mahashramana. But Vayubhuti was not arrogant and hesitant as his elder brothers were; but was extremely delighted to get an opportunity to have the darshana of the supreme Lord. He looked forward to meet Him and get his doubt cleared and was also eager to become the Lord's disciple like Indrabhuti and Agnibhuti.
Vayubhuti too was addressed in the same way by Lord Mahavira as Indrabhuti and Agnibhuti were addressed and the Lord explained the vedic verse based on which Vayubhuti was doubtful whether the body and the soul were two different identities or both were to be considered as a single identity. The vedic verse is as follows:
“विज्ञानघन एवैतेभ्यो भूतेभ्यः समुत्थाय तान्येवानु विनश्यति न प्रेत्य संज्ञास्ति ॥"
The Lord said, “Oh Vayubhuti Gautama, You have understood the above verse as follows." The body and the soul are born when the five Mahabhutas viz. earth, water, fire, air and space come together. Hence the two are not different at all. The body and the soul are identical. And after death, the body does not exist and so the soul being indifferent from the body also ceases to exist. On the other hand the vedas also record a statement that contradicts this verse सत्येन लभ्यस्तपसा हये ब्रम्हचर्येण नित्यं ज्योतिर्मयो हि शुद्धो यं पश्यन्ति धीरा संयमात्मानः।।
i.e. The self-controlled and the self restrained aspirants can reach the soul which is self illumined, ever existent and blissful. With the help of truth, austerity, brahmacharya etc. one can know the Atman. This vedic verse elucidates that the body and the soul are two different identities. Under these circumstances, how can one understand what the truth is? Should one consider the soul and the body identical or different. Oh. Vayubhuti, isn't this your doubt and the vedic verse the base for it?”
Vayubhuti said “Oh Lord, You are indeed great for you know
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