$JES 103 Jain Alphabet Book Level 1 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 35

TIS FOR INDRABHUTI GAUTAM (ALSO KNOWN AS GAUTAM SWÄMI)
Tis for Indrabhuti Gautam
Indrabhuti Gautam (also known as Gautam Swami)
was Bhagawan Mahävir's* First Disciple
Indrabhuti Gautam was the most well-known and educated Hindu Brahmin during the time of Lord Mahävir. He was a very knowledgeable person, and therefore became very arrogant. One day during a religious ceremony, he saw some celestial beings flying towards his town. He told everyone, "See, how great I am! Even heavenly angels have decided to join my religious ceremony." But the celestial beings did not stop to join him. Indrabhuti Gautam was surprised and inquired where the angels were going. The people said that the angels were going to pay their respect to Bhagawän Mahävir, who had come to the nearby Mahäsen forest. After attaining kevaljnän, Bhagawan Mahävir was to deliver his first sermon. Immediately Indrabhuti visited Bhagawan Mahävir and saw his bright but humble personality. He experienced true happiness when he saw Bhagawan Mahävir. Bhagawan Mahävir explained to him the true meaning of the nature of the soul and its qualities. Indrabhuti was amazed and realized that Mahävir possessed kevaljnän (total knowledge) and had attained eternal happiness. His ego dissolved immediately and Indrabhuti bowed down to Bhagawan Mahävir and became his first disciple or Ganadhar. Later, he came to be known as Gautam Swämi. For the next 30 years, Gautam Swami asked many questions related to Jain philosophy and conduct to Bhagawan Mahävir. The answers to these questions are recorded in our Jain scriptures known as Ägam Sutras. Gautam Swami attained kevaljnän on the day after Bhagawan Mahävir attained nirvana. Bhagawan Mahävir's nirvana day was the last day (Deepävali day) of the Jain and Hindu calendar year and Gautam swämi's kevaljnän day was the first day (New Year day) of the Jain
JAIN ALPHABET BOOK
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