________________
380
He gave effect to his thought.
As he was on fast unto death, one day, because of his pious effort, pious outcome and gradually purifying tinges, karma which enshrouded Ananda's knowledge and exhausted, and he came to acquire a very extensive ayadhi knowledge because of which he could know and see in the north as far as the Himalayas, in the south, the east and the west over an expanse of 500 yojanas till the salt ocean, till the Saudharmakalpa, and underneath, till the dreary cells in the first hell.
In those days, Bhagavan Mahāvira arrived at Vāņijyagrāma. On that day, Indrabhūti Gautama had completed a two-day fast, and, with the permission of Bhagavān Mahāvira, he moved into the town to beg. There when he heard people talk about Ananda's fast unto death, he felt a keen desire to call on him. So he turned his steps in the direction of the pausadha room where Ananda was and arrived there. Ananda had become too weak to get up from his bed to receive such a distinguished caller. So from his bed, he expressed his homage and obeisance and touched Gautama's feet. Said Ananda to Bhagavān Gautama,
''Bhante ! Is it possible for aya dhi knowledge to be generated in a householder who is committed to fast unto death"?
Gautama - "Yes, it is quite possible".
Ananda - "Sir, I am glad to tell you that I have generated within me such knowledge which is widely extensive in all directions".
Gautama - "Ananda ! A householder, to my mind, cannot acquire so extensive an aya dhi knowledge. While you are on a fast unto death, I am afraid, false words have been uttered by you. So you should discuss and make atonement for them".
Ananda - "Respected sir! Under the spiritual governance of Mahāvira, is atonement to be practised for fals ehood or for truth"?
