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A Legend in Catholicity
89
Grahaḥ sarvatra tattvena mumuksūņām asangataḥ/ Muktau dharmā api prāyas tyaktavyāḥ kim anena tat //
“The reason for different prescriptions by different great teachers is the spiritual capabilities of the people and disciples, because they were able physicians for mundane afflictions. They preached keeping in view the prevailing conditions but their basic aim was liberation. It will be truly disastrous for people like us with little knowledge to criticize them. Just as it is foolish for blind men to describe the moon variously, it is foolish for us to see the differences in their preaching. When it is improper to contradict an ordinary person, it is better to slit one's tongue before it wags in controverting them. It is for consideration that if things spiritual could be perceived through logic, why do logicians continue to entertain doubts? It is, therefore, improper for searchers of Truth to insist upon any single system. If you want liberation, then give up these doubts, differences, and one-sided views. Arguments and counter-arguments will not be of any help. He, however, maintained that what Kapila said and what Buddha preached, is all true. Non-dualism is at the very root of leveling the differences. In the Loka-tattva-nirnaya he said:
Paksapāto na me vīre na dveṣaḥ kapilādișu / Yuktimad vacanaṁ yasya tasya kāryaḥ parigrahaḥ // I am not partial to Lord Mahāvīra nor do I bear any grudge against Kapila and others. I accept what is logical in their proposition. In the Puratana-prabandha-samgraga, he said: Pakspātam parityajya madhyasthībhūyam eva ca/ Vicārya yuktiyuktam yad grāhyam tyājyam ayuktimat // Give up partiality and be neutral; whatever stands to reason, accept; and whatever does not, give up.
This is the lesson of unique importance in these days of , fundamentalism and sectarianism.
