z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 04.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 252
252 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
for salvation, and leads him, who acts according to it, into a state of union with Brahma.”
III
Vasettha said : “Various Brahmins, O Gotama, teach various paths. The Addhariya Brahmins, the Tittiriya Brahmins, the Kanchoka Brahmins, the Bheehuvargiya Brahmins. They all lead those who act according to them, into a state of union with Brahma.
“Just as near a village or a town there are many and various paths yet they all meet together in the village—just in the same way all the various paths taught by the various Brahmins lead to union with Brahma.”
“Do you say that they all lead aright, Vasettha?” asked the Buddha. “I say so, Gautama,” replied Vasettha.
“But Vasettha, is there a single one of the Brahmins versed in the three Vedas who has ever seen Brahma face to face.”
“No, indeed, Gautama.”
“Is there a single one of the teachers of the Brahmanas versed in the three Vedas who has seen Brahma face to face ? ”
“No, indeed, Gautama.”
“Nobody has seen Brahma. There is no perceptual knowledge about Brahma.” “So it is,” said Vasettha. “How then can you believe that the assertion of the Brahmins that Brahma exists is based on truth ?
“Just, Vasettha, as when a string of blind men are clinging one to the other, neither can the foremost see nor can the middle one see nor can the hindmost see—just even so, methinks, Vasettha, is the talk of the Brahmins nothing but blind talk. The first sees not, the middle one sees not, nor can the latest one. The talk of these Brahmins turns out to be ridiculous, mere words, a vain and empty thing.
“Is this not a case, Vasettha, of a man falling in love with a woman whom he has not seen ?” “Yes, it is,” replied Vasettha.
“Now what think you Vasettha ? If people