Sthaviravali

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay
Publisher: Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha

Page 219

198
Knowing that the eminently virtuous Jaina Sádhus, will not, under any circumstance, tell a falsehood, the mind of Sayyambhava-bhatta became very doubtful about the real nature of True Knowledge.
When the mind of Sayyambhava-bhatta became greatly disturbed with ideas about the real nature of True Knowledge he inquired from the great Upādhyāya, the high-priest who was in charge of sacrificial ceremonies, saying "What is the essence of True Knowledge? The Upādhyāya replied, “The real essence of True Knowledge is that the Vedas are the bestowers of heaven and Final Beatitude. People conversant with the real nature of True Knowledge, confidently say that there is no other real essence of True Knowledge, except the Vedas.'
Sayyambhava-Bhatta, then angrily said “You are really deceiving innocent people like myself by saying that the Vedas contain the real essence of True Knowledge out of your greed for sacrificial fees received from persons capable of paying for the expenses of the sacrifice. Because, these great sages, who are free from affection and hatred towards any object, who are perfectly disinterested and destitute of worldly belongings, and who are perfectly peaceful and compassionate, will never speak out a falsehood. Therefore, O wicked man! You do'nt seem to be a true teacher. You have cheated the world from your very birth. You really deserve to be punished now. However, o cheat! say out the true nature of the real essence, accurately at it stands, otherwise I will cut off your head as there is no crime in punishing a wicked man." So saying, he drew out a bright sword from its scabbard. Sayyambhava-bhatta, raising up his sword, at that time, appeared actually as the god of death, reading out a warrant of death in his hand.
The Upādhyāya, greatly agitated with fear, thought “ This man is ready to kill me. To-day I have got the best opportunity to say out the true nature of the real essence as it stands. Besides, the Vedas declare and it is our established