Gautama Prccha — A Drama on An Ancient Thought and Dialogue

Summary

P. C. Dasgupta introduces and analyses a dramatic work titled "Gautama Prccha" (literally, "Questions of Gautama") that reimagines a pivotal encounter between the Vedic scholar Indrabhuti Gautama and the Jain Tirthankara Mahavira. Set roughly 2,500 years ago, the drama opens with Gautama, renowned for his Vedic learning and priestly status, expressing doubts about the existence of an immortal soul. He approaches Mahavira, the Nirgrantha Jina, seeking clarification. Mahavira responds by asserting that there must be a governing element that integrates all the senses yet remains separate from the physical body; this element, the soul, is pure, unborn and imperishable. The dialogue dramatizes a classic philosophical debate that echoes across civilisations. Dasgupta summarises the drama’s structure and themes. Scenes depict Gautama questioning the nature of consciousness, the relationship between self and body, and the possibility of liberation. Mahavira counters with arguments grounded in Jain doctrines of jīva (soul) and ajīva (non‑soul), karma, and the cycle of births. The dramatic format allows the audience to witness Gautama’s transformation: initial scepticism gives way to intellectual persuasion and, ultimately, spiritual awakening. The drama underscores the Jain view that rational inquiry and direct experience can lead even a sceptic to realise the soul’s permanence. Dasgupta situates the play within the broader tradition of Indian philosophical dialogues, comparing it to Upanishadic conversations between teacher and disciple. He highlights the timelessness of the questions raised and suggests that the drama invites modern audiences to reflect on their own understanding of self. By reviving an ancient dialogue in theatrical form, "Gautama Prccha" serves as both an educational tool and a tribute to the power of reasoned discourse.