Contemporaneity and Chronology of Mahavira and Buddha

Author(s): Nagrajmuni, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Book Agency

Page 95

Research and Conclusion
75 “When these things had been said, King Pasenadī, the Kosalan, spoke thus to the Exalted One :
"Most excellent, Lord, most excellent ! Just as if a man were to set up that which has been thrown down, or were to reveal that which is hidden away, or were to point out the right road to him who has gone astray, or were to bring a lamp into the darkness so that those who have eyes could see external forms- just even so, Lord, has the truth been made known to me, in many a figure by the Exalted One. I, even I, Lord, betake myself to the Exalted One as my refuge, to the Norm and to the Order. May the Exalted One accept me as a follower, as one who from this day forth as long as life endures has taken his refuge therein.”
At one time Bhagavān i.e. Buddha was dwelling at Rājagsha in Venuvana, in Kalandakanivapa. At and that time some questions were recited to Sabhiya, the Paribbājaka (a wandering mender mendicant), by an old benevolent diety (who had in a former birth been a relation of his) : 'He who, O Sabhiya, be it a śramaņa or a Brāhmaṇa, explains these questions to thee when asked, near him you should live a religious life.'
“Then Sabhiya the Paribbājaka having learnt the questions from the deity, went to whatever Sramaņas and Bhrāmaņas there were, who had an assembly (of Bhikhus), and a crowd (of followers), and were well-known teachers famous leaders and were considered excellent by the multitude, such as (1) Pūraņa, Kassapa (2) Makkhali Gośāla, (3) Ajita Kesakambali, (4) Pakuddha Kaccayana, (5) Sañjaya Belatthiputta, and (6) Nigantha Nātaputta, (i.e. Mahāvīra). Those he want to and after going to them, asked these questions. They, being asked the questions by Sabhiya, the Paribbījaka, did not succeed (in answering