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सचित्र उत्तराध्ययन सूत्र
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TRAYOVIMSH ADHYAYAN :
KESHI-GAUTAMIYA
wa ICCO
Foreview
The name of this chapter is Keshi-Gautamiya. In Bhagavan Parshvanaath's lineage Kumar-shraman Keshi was the fourth head of the order (pattadhara). Gautam Ganadhar was the chief disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir. Both were accomplished scholars and sagacious individuals. This chapter lucidly describes the inspiring dialogue on metaphysics these two had in the Tinduk garden of Shravasti city.
Kumar-shraman Keshi was staying in Tinduk garden with his group of disciples and Gautam Ganadhar in Koshthak garden with his group of disciples.
When the disciples of these two went out to seek alms or to perform some other duty, they used to meet each other and talk. However, due to their mutually variant codes of conduct they soon got confused. Both the groups asked their respective gurus-When our goal is same, liberation, why these differences?
The two leaders decided to meet and clarify these differences. Considering Kumarshraman Keshi to be the senior and following the protocol of modesty Gautam Ganadhar came to Tinduk garden with his disciples. Kumar-shraman Keshi gave him due respect and offered seat with honour.
Kumar-shraman Keshi put forth his questions regarding many topics including clad and unclad, dress code, four vows and five vows.
Gautam explained that dress is mere social code and only for the convenience of identification by masses. The true pursuit of liberation is through right knowledge, perception faith, conduct and austerities, on which both the organizations have the same view.
Regarding four vows and five vows Gautam explained that the followers of the first Tirthankar are ignorant but simple, those of the twenty two in-between Tirthankars are simple but wise. They all easily understand the fundamentals and practise accordingly. But the followers of the last Tirthankar are ignorant as well as perverted. Therefore Bhagavan Mahavir made necessary pragmatic amendments in the codes and sub-codes to suit the prevailing conditions.
After that Gautam Ganadhar gave suitable explanations for the metaphoric queries put forth by Kumar-shraman Keshi including those about enemies, bondage, creeper, rogue horse, right and wrong path and continents. All doubts of Kumar-shraman Keshi were removed and consequently he accepted the religion of five great vows to join Bhagavan Mahavir"s religious organization (sangh).
The most powerful message of this chapter is that all queries and doubts should be removed through open-minded dialogue and deliberation.
The other message is that keeping the basic fundamentals same, acceptance of procedural and formal changes to suit the varying conditions of time and place keeps the religion live and pulsating.
The chapter has 89 verses.
