Jain Journal 1967 04

SR No.: 520006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1967
Total Pages: 104
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 78

APRIL, 1967
205
wer of Mahavira when he decided to part and start an order of his own. But he was by no means all-knowing, all-seeing, still less a Tirthankara. Mahavira assured Gautama that Gosalaka was not a Tirthankara. The report having reached Gosalaka he became furious and assembled with his followers in a meeting. At this moment, Ananda, one of Mahavira's disciples, was going out to collect alms. When Gosalaka saw him, he stopped him and threatened him on account of Mahavira's utterances regarding himself. Ananda was terrified and reported the whole matter to the Master. Gosalaka was not a man to desist. He too followed him with his followers and tried to establish before Mahavira that he was a Tirthankara. When challenged, he said that he was not Gosalaka who followed him for a few years but Kundiyayana, temporarily entering into the mortal frame of Gosalaka, this being his seventh such penetration, claiming to be a Jina or Victor. This was strongly repudiated by Mahavira. Now Gosalaka started abusing but Mahavira was equanimous. This added fuel to the fire. He released his teja-leśyā (fiery forces) which burnt dead a monk on the spot. Abuses continued and another monk became a victim of his leśhyā-fire. But even then Gosalaka was not pacified and this time he directed it to Mahavira himself. It touched the Lord but unable to burn him, rose up, reverted and re entered into Gosalaka's body. Gosalaka said, "Now that you are burnt by leśyā-fire, you die within six months.” Mahavira said, “Oh Beloved of the gods, it is not my life-span but thine that is really affected. I will continue to roam on this earth for sixteen more years but you will die of severe illness within a week. Repent you must." Gosa. laka died, as Mahavira had said, within a week. His last confession was full of repentance for his past misdeeds.
After the death of Gosalaka, Mahavira left Sravasti and arrived at Salakosthaka caitya in the village Mendhika. Six months had elapsed since the Gosalaka episode. His leśyā-fire that had touched Mahavira had already made him ill and his body had become emantiat ed. People started gossiping lest Gosalaka's forecast should come true. This reached the ears of a monk named Singha who was at this time absorbed in deep meditation. He was disturbed, got up from his seat, started, and by the time he reached Malukakachha he burst out in deep sob and could go no further. Mahavira realised the agony of his disciple and sent some of his followers to get him there. When Singha had arrived, Mahavira directed him to bring two medicines from a certain woman Rebati in the village of Mendhika which was done. The Lord regained his lost physique. Fortunate indeed is Rebati whose medicine cured the Lord ! There was joy everywhere, not only on the earth but even among gods in heaven.