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NandiSootra
By birth he was a Kshatriya of the Kashyap gotra. He was born at a place named Vairaval in Saurashtra. There is a belief that he was initiated by Arya Lohitya. But examining the available evidences and comparing them with historical dates, his being a disciple of Arya Dushyagani seems to be more logical. He was probably taught the Agams and one Purva by Acharya Lohitya.
No information is available about important events of his life. However it is an established traditional belief that with his death in 1000 A.N.M. the knowledge of the Purvas, the sublime canons, became extinct.
*TYPES OF LISTENERS* FOURTEEN TYPES OF LISTENERS
Introduction - It is a convention that as the first step of commencing the writing of a book a prayer wishing well being andremoval of hurdles is written in the form of a PRAISE of the Arhator teachers. After this, generally an introduction of the subject matter discussed in the book is given. But a new experimental style can be seen in this book. Before dealing with the introduction of the subject matter first the virtues and rights of the recipients of theknowledge or the listeners have been discussed and then their congregation.
This has been presented in a gripping style with beautiful and befitting examples.
[046] MEANING -According to the variations in quality, different types of listeners are like-1. Smooth rock (shail) that remains uneffected by down pour from rain clouds (ghan), 2. Earthen pitcher, 3. Sieve, 4.Filter, 5.Swan, 6.Buffalo, 7.Ram 8. Mosquito, 9.Leech, 10.Cat, 11. Rat, 12.Cow, 13. Trumpet, and 14. Ahir.
COMMENTARY -The widely accepted norm about knowledge is that it should be imparted to a worthy person, not unworthy. Same is true for scriptural knowledge. A person who is wicked, foolish, dull, adamant, impolite, carnal, or having other such vices always abuses knowledge. Therefore he is unworthy. One who has interest, curiosity, sincerity, humbleness, and right conduct is worthy of scriptural knowledge. The author has explained the vices and virtues of a listener with fourteen examples
1. Smooth rock - There is a rock known as Mudg-rock which is as smooth as black-gram. Even if it incessantly rains over it for one week, water does not seep into it. Even if it is kept submerged in water for years, it does not become damp. A person having attributes like this stone is not even slightly inspired towards the right path in spite of being preached continuously for years. He is as dogmatic and adamant as Goshalak and Jamali who could not be corrected even by Bhagavan Mahavir himself. Such listeners, who are as obstinate as Ravan and Duryodhan, are unworthy and should be rejected.
2. Earthen pitcher - These are of two types - unbaked and baked. A pitcher that is dried in sun is unbaked. It cannot be used to fill water in it because as soon as water is poured in, it disintegrates and water flows out. An infant with such a nature, or a listener with an undeveloped and immature mind, like an infant, is absolutely unworthy.
A baked pitcher is also of two types - new and old. A new pitcher is most suitable for filling water. Water filled in such a pitcher is generally not spoiled and it remains cool and satisfying. A listener with such disposition, who has a mature mind but has not become preconditioned or prejudiced by absorbing other knowledge or information, is most worthy recipient of scriptural knowledge.
Aagam- 44 - NandiSootra
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Compiled by- Deepratnasagar
