Uttarajjhayana 197.1.12_10

197.1.12_10

je samatthā samuddhattuṃ | param appāṇam eva ya /
na te tumaṃ viyāṇāsi | aha jāṇāsi to bhaṇa ||12||

"Nor do you know those who are able to save themselves and others; but if you do, then speak out!" (12)
The priest did not make a reply to defend himself against his insinuation; but he and all there assembled joined their hands and questioned the great sage: (13)
'Tell us the most essential subject in the Vêdas, and tell us what is most essential in the sacrifice;
tell us the first of the heavenly bodies, and tell us the best of dharmas. (14)
'Who are able to save themselves and others (viz. tell me). I ask you to solve this my doubt, O saint.' (15)
"The most essential subject in the Vêdas is the agnihôtra, and that of the sacrifice is the purpose of the sacrifice; the first of the heavenly bodies is the moon, and the best of dharmas is that of Kâsyapa (i.e. Rishabha). (16)
"The beautiful (gods) with joined hands praise and worship the highest Lord (i.e. the Tîrthakara) as the planets, &c., (praise) the moon. (17)
"The ignorant (priests) pretend to know the sacrifice, those whose Brâhmanical excellence consists in (false) science; they shroud themselves in study and penance, being like fire covered by ashes. (18)
"He who is called by people a Brâhmana and is worshipped like fire (is no true Brâhmana). But him we call a true Brâhmana, whom the wise point out as such. (19)
"He who has no worldly attachment after entering the order, who does not repent of having become a monk, and who takes delight in the noble words, him we call a Brâhmana. (20)