Bhagvana Mahavira

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

Page 93

Nirvāņa
far and wide. Nandivardhana, the elder brother of Bhagavan Mahavira was overwhelmed with grief when he received this news. Although the news of the attainment of the nirvana is a matter of great ecstasy, those entangled in the snares of worldly attachment behave in their own way.
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Gautama Svāmi had gone to enlighten Somaśarma; so he was stunned when he heard the news of the nirvana of Bhagavan Mahāvīra. He had immense devotion for Bhagavan Mahāvīra. In Bhagavan Mahāvīra Gautama's consciousness experienced perfect protection; Bhagavan Mahāvīra found a dependable devotee in the latter. Gautama had much attachment to the mortal frame of Bhagavan Mahāvīra and was not prepared to bear separation from him. His attachment to Bhagavan Mahāvīra had not waned even in his physical presence with the result that he could not attain the state of kaivalya. His attachment knew no bounds on hearing the news of the nirvāṇa of the master. Being overwhelmed he was grieved like an ordinary man. But this state lasted for a few moments only. Gautama was a great sage and was conversant with śruta (scriptural knowledge) and was possessed of an insight into the Truth. He had a privilege of being associated with Bhagavan Mahāvīra for a long period of thirty years. He exerted himself by engaging his thirst for knowledge in gaining philosophical knowledge. The Bhagavati Sutra bears a living testimony to these efforts of Gautama. Such a wise man could not be lost in sorrow. He regained himself. The image of Bhagavan Mahāvīra symbolizing non-attachment flashed before his eyes. His attachment melted away. He himself became free from all attachments, and attained the state of kaivalya. Now he was no more separate from Bhagavan Mabavira.
Bhagavan Mahāvīra attained the nirvana at the age of seventy-two. He had lived the life of a householder for thirty years, that of sadhana for twelve and a half years and that of a Kevali for another thirty years. Highly enlightened