$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 315

01 - Gautam-swami
F02 Story - Ganadhars and Ächäryas
of attaining Keval-jnän because he is gone forever." However, within a few minutes he realized his error and began thinking, "No one can live forever. No relationship is permanent. Why am I so attached to Lord Mahavir?" He realized that he was wrong and gave up his attachment towards Mahävir. During this deep thinking, he destroyed his ghäti karmas and immediately attained kevaljnän at the age of eighty. He attained nirvana at the age of ninety-two in 515 B.C. Lord Mahävir attained nirvana on the last day of the Jain and Hindu calendar, known as Deepavali or
Diwali. Gautam-swämi attained keval-jnän on the first day of the New Year. Moral: Gautam-swami was a Brahmin by birth and a very well learned Pundit. When he met Bhagwan Mahävir and realized that Mahävir was far more knowledgeable and spiritually advanced than him, he let go of his ego and became his disciple. Mahävir valued truth and would never conceal the mistake of his disciple to protect his own image. At the same time, Gautam-swämi did not have ego that would prevent him from going and asking for forgiveness for his acts towards others. However, because of his attachment for Mahävir-swämi, he took a long time to achieve omniscience even though many other disciples had attained it much earlier. In Jainism, attachment to any individual is considered a passion. To attain omniscience, one must get rid of all passions. When Gautam-swämi realized this and became detached, he attained keval-jnän. Highlights:
Parents of Gautam-swami: Vasubhuti and Prithvi Gautam 2 brothers of Gautam-swami - Agnibhuti and Väyubhuti Original name: Indrabhuti Gautam Foremost Ganadhar (chief disciple) out of 11 of Bhagwan Mahävir Anand Shravak's Avadhi-inän Mahavir Swami's nirvana on Diwali; Gautam Swami's Keval-jnän on New Year's Day
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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