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
concerning the faith and all of them were satisfactorily answered.
ELEVEN DISCIPLES (GAŅADHARAS)
First of all, Mahavira by his preaching converted to Jainism the eleven learned Brahmaņas who became his dici ples, his eleven Ganadharas. They listened to Mahavira's discourses and heard the gentle, thoughtful answers he gave to all questions. Finally, being convinced of the truth of his views, they became his disciples or Ganadharas. The eldest was Indrabhūti, then followed Agnibhuti, Vayubhūti, Vyakta, Sudharmā, Maṇḍikata, Mauryaputra, Akampita, Achalabhrātā, Metarya and Prabhasa. The first three Gaṇadharas were brothers and belonged to the Gautama Gotra, and were residents of Gobbaragāma. The fourth belonged to the Bharadvja Gotra and was the resident of Kollaga Sannivesa; the fifth belonged to the Agni Veśyāyana Gotra and was the resident of Kollaga Sannivesa; the sixth belonged to the Vasishtha Gotra and was the resident of Moriya Sannivesa; the seventh belonged to the Kasyapa Gotra and was the resident of Moriya Sannivesa; the eighth belonged to the Gautama Gotra and was the resident of Mithila; the ninth belonged to the Harita Gotra and was resident of Kośala; the tenth belonged to the Kaudinya Gotra and was the resident of Tungika Sannivesa; and the eleventh belonged to the same Gotra and was the resident of Rajagriha. These Ganadharas were all Brāhmaṇa teachers, and all except Indrabhuti and Sudharma, died during the life-time of Mahāvīra. They are said to have been versed in the twelve Angas, the fourteen Purvas and the whole Ganipidaga (the basket of the Ganis).1
The Digambaras have some different names for these Ganadharas and give a different account of Gautama's conversion. According to Gunabhadra2 the eleven names are as follows: Indrabhūti, Vayubhūti, Agnibhūti, Sudharma, Maurya, Maundra, Putra, Maitreya, Akampana, Andhavela or Anvachela and Prabhasa. Indrabhuti became a very learned
1. Ava. Nir, 658-660.
2. Uttara Purana, 24, 373-374.