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27
LIFE
owing to a lucky fall of rain, came to life again. From this he jumped to the conclusion that all plants were capable of reanimation, nay, he drew the further conclusion that not only plants, but in fact all living beings were capable of reanimation'. Such generalization of the theory of reanimation apparently not finding favour with Mahāvīra, Gośāla thenceforward severed his connection with him and followed a course of asceticism for six months, which enabled him to acquire supernormal powers. He then proclaimed himself a Jina, and became the head of a sect, called the Ajivika.1
Gośāla figures in the early tradition of Buddhism as an independent leader of thought, who too was highly revered by the people of Northern India as the head of an Order, of a following, the teacher of a school, well-known and of repute as a sophist a man of experience who has long been a recluse. There is no suggestion ever made as to his personal relation with Mahāvira. But there is sufficient reason to believe that the Nirgranthas and the Ajivikas were two allied sects, having many points in common between them. In the immediate background of the religions of both
1 Uvāsaga-dasão, Tr by Hoernle, App. I.
