Bhagvana Mahavira

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 68

Bhagavān Mahavira
Bhagavān Mahāvīra revealed to thousands of people the philosophy of anekānta and endowed them with the right vision.
Egalitarianism
Fourteen thousand monks and thirtysix thousand nuns were initiated in the Order founded by Bhagavān Mahāvīra. Lakhs of persons adopted the minor vows and became śrāvakas (lay followers). The number of his followers, admirers and supporters was even larger than that and included many well-known personalities of that age. Bhagavān Mahāvīra considered casteism as irrational and inegalitarian. Hence men and women belonging to all castes and communi. ties were initiated by him. He had eleven apostles. All of them were Brāhmaṇas. The original followers of those apostles were also Brāhmanas. Four thousand and four hundred monks initiated by Bhagavān Mahāvīra were Brāhmaṇas. This number includes only those who were initiated at the first instance. We do not know the exact number of the Brāhmaṇas initiated later.
A large number of Kșatriyas had also been initiated. Many Ksatriya rulers like Daśārņabhadra, the ruler of Daśār. ņapūra (Vidiśā), Udrāyaṇa, the ruler of Sindhu Sauvīra, Siva, the ruler of Hastināpur etc. entered the Order of Bhagavān Mahāvīra. Mrgāvati, the queen of Satānika, ruler of Kau
Name 1. Indrabhūti 2. Agnibhüti 3. Vāyubhūti 4. Vyakta 5. Sudharmā 6. Mandita 7. Mauryaputra 8. Akampita 9. Achalabhrātā 10. Metārya 11. Prabhāsa
500 500 500
Gotra Gautama Gautama Gautama Bhāradwāja Agnivaisyāyana Vāśiştha Kāśyapa Gautama Hărita Kauņdinya Kaundinya
Village
Disciples Gobaragãon Gobaragaon Gobaragãon Kollāga Sannivesa 500
500 Maurya Sannivesa 350
350 300
Mithila Kausala Kausāmbi Rājagsha
300 300 300