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DISCOURSE 4
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Jamali said, “In a situation where we see some contradictions, doctrines have no value. The action is incomplete; it is not completed. When that is so, how can you say that the action has been completed ? I have personally seen that the woollen carpet has not been spread. How can you say that it has been spread ?”
Jamali had a heated discussion with the mendicant. The matter went up to Bhawgan Mahavir. Bhagwan Mahavir tried to convince Jamali that when we say in the spoken dialect that some action is being done, it means it has been completed. Bhagwan Mahavir said to Jamali, "Supposing you set out from Rajgrihi to go to Kaushambi; and you are still going somewhere in the vicinity of Rajagrihi, at such a time if someone asks a shraman, "Where is Jamali Muni?', the shraman would reply, "He has gone to Kaushambi. Though you have not reached Kaushambi, you are said to have gone there. Bhagwan Mahavir tried to convince Jamali Muni of the truth of that theory by giving many examples and arguments but Jamali Muni was not convinced because Jamali Muni gave importance to the letter not to the spirit of the statement. His pride had grown on account of his having participated in disputations and discussions with thousands of mendicants. Pride made him forget or ignore the truth that Bhagwan Mahavir was Omniscient. Whatever faith he had in Bhagwan Mahavir, it was destroyed by his pride. Jamali went away from Bhagwan Mahavir.
Obstinacy caused by pride is attended by dreadful consequences. There is a great difference between the obstinacy caused by a proud man and that of a man of knowledge. The man of knowledge who is obstinate gives up his obstinacy soon after he realises his mistakes. But the proud man does not discard his obstinacy even after realising his mistakes. How did Vibhishana try to convince Ravan of his unrighteousness? Hes prevailed upon Ravan to send back Sita honourably to Sri Rama but Ravan, did not give up his obstinacy. What was the consequence of it? The entire race of Rakshasas was totally decimated.
Sadhvi Priyadarshana who was also obstinate took sides
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