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[144]
[Upasakadasangasutra]
With the jingling of small bells attached to his clothes, he stood in the sky and said to the Shraman Upasak Kundakaulik, "Kundakaulik! Devanupriya! The Dharma-Prajnapti-Dharma-Shiksha of Mankhaliputra Goshalak is beautiful. According to him, there is no place for upward striving, karma, strength, physical power, viriya (internal power), purushkara (pride in manhood), parakrama (pride in heroism), enthusiasm, and vigorous undertaking, all in accordance with the attainment of liberation. All actions that are to be are predetermined. Liberation, (karma, strength, viriya, heroism) parakrama, all these have their own existence, all actions are not predetermined - this Dharma-Prajnapti-Dharma-Prarupana of Bhagwan Mahavira is not beautiful or unseemly."
**Discussion**
Mankhaliputra Goshalak is described in detail in the 15th Shatak of the Bhagavati Sutra. In the Agamottara literature, there are also mentions of events related to him in the necessary Nirukti, etc. In Buddhist literature, he is described in the Majjhimanikaya, Anguttaranikaya, Samyuttanikaya, etc. In the Sumangalavilasi commentary on the Digha Nikaya by Buddhaghosa, there is a detailed discussion of Goshalak's doctrines. Goshalak was one of the six prominent teachers of the Avaidik tradition contemporary to Bhagwan Mahavira. The Bhagavati Sutra mentions that there was a person named Mankhal, belonging to the Mank (Dacoit) caste. His wife's name was Bhadra. Mankhal was a beggar. For this reason, he used to carry a picture in his hand. While wandering for alms with his pregnant wife Bhadra, he once reached a village called Sarvan. As there was no other place, he stayed in the cowshed of a Brahmin named Gobahul to spend the Chaturmas. When the gestation period was complete, Bhadra gave birth to a beautiful and delicate child. Because he was born in Gobahul's cowshed, the child was named Goshal or Goshalak.
Goshalak grew up gradually, became educated and qualified. He also started earning his livelihood independently by begging with a picture in his hand.
Once, Bhagwan Mahavira was spending his Chaturmasik stay in a part of the weavers' workshop in Nalanda outside Rajgriha. By chance, Goshalak also reached there. As there was no other place, he spent the Chaturmas in the same weavers' workshop. While staying there, he was particularly impressed by Bhagwan's unparalleled, extraordinary personality and the divine events that took place from time to time. He wanted to be initiated by Bhagwan. Bhagwan did not agree to initiate him. When he continued his efforts and persisted, Bhagwan accepted him as a disciple. He stayed with Bhagwan for six years. He received immense Tejo-leshya from him, then he separated from Bhagwan. He started calling himself Arhat, Tirthankara, Jin, and Kevali.
Later, an incident occurred, out of hatred and jealousy, he threw Tejo-leshya on Bhagwan. Being completely non-violent, Bhagwan tolerated him with equanimity. Tejo-leshya...