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PART II GANADHARS AND ÄCHÄRYAS
Gautam-Swami's Keval-Jnän As time passed, all the disciples of Gautam swami attained keval-jnän, the ultimate knowledge. However, Gautam swami was still unable to attain it. He became worried that he might not attain keval-jnän in this life. One day, Gautam swami asked Lord Mahävir, "Ten other scholars joined me on the day that I accepted diksha and all eleven of us became your disciples. Nine of them have attained keval-jnän. All of my disciples have attained Keval-jnän. Why am I so unlucky that I am not able to attain keval-jnän?" Lord Mahävir replied, "Gautam, it is because you have too much affection for me. In order to attain keval-jnän you must overcome all types of attachment, including attachment to your beloved Guru. Until you give up your attachment towards me, it will not be possible for you to attain keval-jnän."
Gautam-Swami attaining keval-jnän
On the day that Lord Mahävir was going to attain nirvana (liberation), he sent Gautam swami to a nearby village to preach to a man named Devsharma. On his way back, Gautam swämi learned that Lord Mahävir had attained nirväna. He lapsed into a state of shock and sorrow, "Lord Mahävir knew that this was his last day on Earth. Why did he send me away?" Gautam swami could not stop his tears. He also thought, "I could not attain keval-jnän while Mahävir was alive. Now there is no hope of attaining keval-jnän because he is gone forever." However, within a few minutes he realized his error and began thinking, "No one can live forever. No relationship is permanent. Why am I so attached to Lord Mahävir?" He realized that he was wrong and gave up his attachment towards Lord
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JAIN STORY BOOK
