________________
: 268:
Jinabhadra Gani's
[The seventh
D. C. When Goṣṭhā Mahila did not put faith in the words of Acarya Durbalikā Puspainitra, sthaviras of the gaccha tried to convince him of the Truth exposed by the preceptor. But Gosthā Mahila replied arrogantly You ascetics, what do you know?" The Tirthankaras have preached the same principle that I hold." The sthaviras said "Do not degrade the Tirthankaras by such words. You do not know the Truth.
66
Ultimately, the sthaviras called an assembly of all the monks, who propitiated a goddess with the help of Kayotsarga. The goddess came to them and asked them as to what she could do for them. The monks though knowing the truth requested her for convincing other people, to go to Mahāvidèha and ask the Tirthankara there, as to who was right. The goddess returned with a message within a short time, and declared that the gaccha led by the preceptor Durbalikā Puspamitra was right and Gosṭhā Mahila who had turned out as the Seventh Nihnava was a liar.
19
On hearing the message, Gostha-Mahila said" How could this wretch of a demon go to the Tirthankara?
Then, when he refused to believe even in this, he was expelled from the gaccha. Finally, without returning to his original school, Gostha-Mahila wandered here and there, and died as a Nihnava without expiating himself for his sinful acts.
Jain Education International
End of the Discussion with the Seventh Nihnava.
For Private Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
