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GANADHAR GAUTAM-SWÄMI
and as low as the first hell." Gautam swämi explained to Änand, "A layman (Shrävak) can attain Avadhi-jnän, but not to this magnitude. You need to do präyashchitta (atonement) for believing you can do this." Änand was puzzled. He knew that he was correct but his guru questioned his truthfulness and told him to repent for it. He therefore politely asked Gautam-swämi, "Does one need to repent for speaking the truth?" Gautam swämi was equally puzzled and replied, "No one has to repent for speaking the truth." Thinking that he would confirm this with Bhagawän Mahävir, Gautam swämi left Änand.
Gautam swämi returned to Bhagawan Mahavir and asked about Änand's clairvoyance knowledge. Mahavir replied, "Gautam, Änand was telling the truth. He can see as high as the first heaven and as low as the first hell. Rarely can a layman attain such a level of Avadhi-jnän. You should repent for your mistake of doubting him." Gautam swämi set aside his alms and immediately returned to Änand and asked for his forgiveness.
Offering Food to 1500 Hermits
On another occasion, Gautam swämi went to a temple on Mount Ashtapad to pay homage to the 24 Tirthankars. The mountain was very difficult to climb. At the foothill of the mountain, fifteen hundred hermits were trying to climb the mountain but were unsuccessful. Upon seeing Gautam swämi complete this difficult journey, they were very impressed and decided to be his disciples immediately. Gautam swämi preached to them about true religion and the correct ways of penance and accepted them as his disciples. All fifteen hundred hermits became Jain monks.
Gautam swämi offering kheer to 1500 hermits from a small bowl
Gautam swämi realized that they were hungry and offered them kheer (rice pudding) from a small pätra (bowl). They began to wonder how Gautam swami would feed all of them, but Gautam swämi requested all the hermits to sit down. Since he possessed a special power called Akshin-mahänasi Labdhi (non-diminishing power), he served everyone kheer from his small bowl. While serving kheer, he kept his thumb in the bowl, invoking the power. To everyone's surprise, the kheer in this small pätra was able to serve all of them well.
JAIN STORY BOOK
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