Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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Lord Mahavira and His Times
Alabhikā, which is the same as the Pāli Alavi, is identified by A. CUNNINGHAM and A. F. R. HOERNLE with Newal or Nawal in Unao District in U. P., and by N.L. DEY with Aviwa, 40 km. north-east of Eatwah.? It lay between Sāvatthi and Rājagiha. Panitabhūmi, which is the same as Paņiyabhūmi, was a place in Vajrabhūmi, a division of the pathless country of Rādha.3 Śrāvasti was the flourishing capital of the kingdom of Košala in Mahāvīra's time. It is identified with Sahet-Mahet on the bank of the Rapti.4 Pipā, which is the same name as the Pāli Pāvā, was one of the chief seats of government of the Mallas. It was in Mahāvira's time one of the halting stations on the highway from Vaiśāli to Kuśīnārā and Kapilavastu.5 A. CUNNINGHAM took it for the modern village, Padaraona, 18 km, to the N.N. E. of Kasia. It is identified with a place located at a distance of ten km. from Biharsharif in Patna District.?
One important event of this period of Mahāvīra's life was his meeting with Gośāla Maukhaliputta, the head of the Ājivika sect. From the account given in the Bhagavati Sūtra, it is known that during the second year of his ascetic life, Mahāvīra stayed at Nālandā during the rainy season. At this time, Gośāla, who was then wandering about in the country showing pictures to the people at large, happened to arrive and put up there. Owing to Mahāvīra's extraordinary self-restraint, his impressive habits of meditation, his capacity to prophesy things correctly and to the fact a rich householder Vijaya, of Rājagļiha had shown respect and hospitality to him, Gośāla was attracted, and wanted to be his disciple, but Mahavira declined his request. His prayer was not granted on two successive occasions even though the Master was entreated by the rich householders, Ānanda and Sudarśana.
1. GEB, p. 24. 2. PRAI, p. 160. 3. SBE, XXII, p. 264, f n. 4; also p. 84. 4. AGI, p. 469. 5. Grb, p. 15. 6. Ibid., p. 498. 7. Handy, p. 34.