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( 93 ) por a true believer, whereupon Gosala got enraged, and visited Mahavira for a religious discussion. The discussion was, of course, inconclusive, but two disciples of Mahavira who intervened were burnt up by his fiery power. Gosala attempted to burn Mahavira himself, but was unsuccessful. The after-effects of Gosala's fiery attack were, however, felt by Mahavira and he suffered great pain later on. The rainy season was passed at Mithilā.
From Mithilā, Mahavira went towards KosalaPañcāla, visiting Sravasti, Ahicchatra, Hastinapur and other towns, and returned for the next rainy season to Vānijyagrāma. The last few rainy seasons were spent at Rajgsha, Vānijyagrāma, Vaisali, Vaisali again, Rajgrha, Nalanda, Vaisali, Mithila, Rajgrha, Nalanda, Mithila, Mithila again, Rajgrha, until at the age of 72 he attained Nirvāṇa on Kartika Amāvasyā at Pāvāpuri.
Mahavira's Community of Followers :
Mahavira succeeded in attracting a large number of disciples, both men and women, and organised his community into four orders. Chief among his followers were fourteen thousand monks, at the head of whom stood the eleven Gañadharas, and thirty-six thousand auns, at the head of whom was Chandanā. These included “three hundred sages who knew the fourteen Purvas, who though no Jinas came very near them, thirteen hundred sages who were possessed of the Avadhi-knowledge and superior qualities; seven hundred kevalins; seven hundred who could transform themselves; five hundred sages of mighty intellect; four hundred professors who were never vanquished in disputes ; seven hundred male and fourteen hundred female disciples who reached perfection ; and eight hundred sages in their last birth.” During Mahavira's own lifetime nine of the Ganadharas
attained Kevala-jnana. Two survived him, Gautama Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
| SR No. | 034936 |
| Book Title | Lord Mahavira |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Boolchand |
| Publisher | Jain Cultural Research Society |
| Publication Year | 1948 |
| Total Pages | 124 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 12 MB |