________________
180
THE JAINA GAZETTE travelled from place to place and thus acquired vast experience of the moral and spiritual condition of the people.
In his travels, he came in contact with one Gosala (of whom we shall hear more hereafter) who charmed with the sanctity of his life became his disciple. He lived with the future Arhat for 6 years. He had, it is said, a mischievous nature and when once he was admonished for his evil behaviour he quarrelled with his master and deserted him. He is called the Judas of the Jaina church.
In the thirteenth year of his Renunciation. full knowledge flashed forth in Shri Mahavira's mind, as he was sitting in meditation under a Sal tree on the bank of the Rajubalaka (modern Barakar) not very far from Parasnath hills. His spiritual nature had nory fully developed. He had cast off the bonds of ignorance and had become a Master, as a Theosophist would say.
When the blessed Lord had discovered the Great Truth, out of compassion for the world. He decided to preach it to all persons without any distinction of caste colour or creed. He delivered His first Sermon on the very spot where illumination had come upon Him. He said “samsara (mundane existence) is full of misery. None are completely happy except those who have attained perfection. The cause of suffering is Karma. Good thoughts, words and deeds lead one to a higher state of existence ; evil thoughts, words and deeds lead one to a lower state of existence. Do not injure living beings. As it would be unto thee, so it is with him whom thou intendest to kill. * Do not tell a lie. Do not take that which is not given. Adopt Brahamcharya. Lead a pure and chaste life." The persons heard the first sermon of the sage with rapt attention but no one was converted. He, then, went to Apapa where He stayed in a park and began to preach His doctrines. In the city there lived a very rich Brahman who was celebrating a yaga or a great animal sacrifice. He had invited several of his learned co-religionists on that occasion among whom Indrabhuti Gautama and his ten brothess were most distinguished for their vast learning
* Acharangasutra S. B. E. Vol XXII Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com