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Pushpika -Upang-10- Chapter-3 Gautam Swami further asked about the earlier birth of Shukra god.
Bhagavan Mahavir replied- "Gautam ! During that period of time there was a city named Varanasi. In Varanasi lived a Brahmin named Somil who was very rich and insuperable. He was a scholar of Rugveda (this includes all the four Vedas, history, lexicon, grammar, etc.). Once Purushadaniya Arhat Parshva, arrived there. People came to behold and pay homage to him.
On getting news of Arhat Parshva's arrival Somil Brahmin thought-Wandering from one village to another Purushadaniya Arhat Parshva has arrived and is stationed at Amrashaalvan in Varanasi. I should go and put forth my questions to him and seek answers, reasons and elaborations from him. (as described in Vyakhyaprajnapti)
Then Somil left his house alone without taking his disciples along. He came to Bhagavan and asked "Bhante! How is your journey ? What are your restraints (yaapaniya)? How are your defined movement (prasuk vihar)? Are Sarisava (Sarason or mustard seeds), Maash (Udad; a kind of pulse;), and Kulattha (Kulathi; horse-bean;) edible for you or not? Are you one ? Are you two ? Are you many ? etc." Bhagavan gave suitable replies) on getting the answers Somil got enlightened, accepted the Shravak-dharma (code of conduct meant for Jain laity). He then returned home. Later Arhat Parshva left Amrashaalvan Chaitya in Varanasi and commenced his itinerant life in other areas.
In the absence of opportunities to behold ascetics who observe great vows, to associate himself with Nirgranth Shramans (detached ascetics), and to listen to their discourses, the righteous thoughts of Somil were gradually replaced by unrighteous thoughts and with passage of time, he succumbed to falsehood to become an unrighteous person devoid of devotion.
Commentary- Only a brief account about Somil Brahmin is given here with an advise to refer to Vyakhyaprajnapti, for greater details about his queries.
Here it should be understood that Somil Brahmin mentioned in Bhagavati Sutra is in fact a different person and not the one mentioned here. Somil mentioned here is a resident of Varanasi and he asks questions from Bhagavan ParshvaNath, whereas Somil of Bhagavati Sutra is a resident of Vanijyagram and he asks questions from Bhagavan Mahavir. However, as the names and questions asked are similar it has been advised here to refer to Bhagavati Sutra for more details. Some of the important questions under reference and their answers are as follows
Bhante ! How is your journey ?
To pursue austerities (tap) codes(niyam) discipline (samyam) selfstudy (svadhyaya), meditation (dhyan), associations (yoga) with essential duties (avashyak) is my journey.
Bhante ! What are your restraints (yaapaniya)?
Restraints (yaapaniya) is of two kinds. To have complete control over the sense organs including that of hearing is my (1) restraint over senses indriya yaapaniya)". I have completely rooted out all the four passions including anger; this is my (2) restraint other than that over senses (noindriya yaapaniya).
Bhante ! What is the meaning of 'unrestricted' in your context?
In my case physical disorders caused by the three body humors, air (vaat), bile (pitta), and phlegm (cough) have been completely pacified.
Aagam -21 - Pushpika
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar
