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learning, was once questioned by an old man and asked to explain the meaning of a verse. The verse had been repeated to him by Mahavira, who had immediately afterwards become so lost in meditation that he did not get an explanation of it from the saint. It contained references to kāla and dravya, pancā stikāya dravya and lesyā, not one of which terms did Gautama Indrabhuti really understand. Nor, being a true scholar, could he pretend to have a knowledge which he did not possess. So he sought out Mahavira for an explanation. In the presence of the great ascetic all his pride fell from him and he became a pupil of Mahavira along with his band of disciples and learned brothers. The Svetāmbara account ascribes the meeting between Mahavira and Gautama Indrabhuti and others to à denunciation on the part of Mahavira of the animal sacrifice at which they were assisting. They were naturally much enraged at his audacity and came forward to oppose him and expose the falseness of his teaching ; but when they listened to Mahavira's discourses and heard the gentle and thoughtful answers he gave to all questioners, they became convinced of the truth of his way, decided to cast in their lot with his and became his chief disciples or Ganadharas. Under these Ganadharas were placed all the monks of the Order.
“Why has it been said that the venerable Ascetic Mahavira had nine Ganas but eleven Ganadharas ? The oldest monk of the Venerable Ascetic Mahavira was Indrabhūti of the Gautama gotra, who instructed five hundred sramanas ; the middle aged monk was Agnibhūti of the Gautama gotra, who instructed five hundred sramanas '; the youngest was Vāyubhūti of the Gautama gotra, who instructed five hundred śramaņas. The Sthavira Arya-Vyakta of the Bhāradwāja gotra instructed five hundred framanas; the Sthavira Ārya-Sudharman of the Agnivaiśyāyana gotra instructed five hundred śramanas ; the Sthavira Mandikaputra of the Vāśişthagotra instructed two hundred
and fifty framanas; the Sthavira Mauryaputra of the 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 |