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LORD MAHAVIRA
181 and great acceticism. When they heard the people admire Mahavira's teachings, they could not bear it, and all started, attended with their disciples, to expose the jugglery of the new Teacher." When they came to Mahavira and heard him, their resolution was quite changed. They were satisfied with his teachings and became his disciples. Indrabhuti Gautama and his ten brothers were all ordained chief-disciples. Chandana, a princess, who had come to hear the Lord also entered the order. She became the head of the female section of the order. A few persons who were unable to enter the order took the vow of a Sravak or a layman. t The Lord gave them all His blessings and spoke a few words of spiritual advice. He said :
"A saint, with right intuition, who cherishes compassion for the world * * * should preach, spread and praise the faith, knowing the sacred lore. He should proclaim it among those who exert themselves and who do not. *** Not neglecting tranquillity, indifference, patience, liberation, purity, uprightness, gentleness and freedom from worldly cares, one should with due consideration, preach the law of the mendicants to all sorts of creatures, * one should do no injury to one's self nor to anybody else ** A great sage, neither injuring nor injured, becomes a shelter for all sorts of afflicted creatures even as an island, which is never covered with water." Such was the beginning of Mahavira's church or the sanga.
The fame of the Great Teacher has spread all over the Magadha country. Mahavira visited Rajgrih where He was most cordially welcomed. The king Srenik Bimbisara (see the Table) himself came and paid the highest respect to Him. He took some vows and ever after remained a great parton of Jainism. His queen Chelana, with true womanly instinct became a devoted Sravaki or lay-sister.
Meghakumar, a son of Srenika was ordained a member of the Order. Prince Nandikshena was also an important convert. He after a few days, fell in love with a prostitute and was expelled from the Order, but he soon discovered his folly. He
† Acharangasutra S. B. E. Vol. XXII. 24
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
| SR No. | 034890 |
| Book Title | Jaina Gazette 1928 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath |
| Publisher | Jaina Gazettee Office |
| Publication Year | 1928 |
| Total Pages | 502 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 33 MB |