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surrounded by his large retinue, approached Mahavira. Mahavira interpreted the law to him, and Ananda having accepted the five gross vows of a layman, became his disciple. After returning home, Ananda explained the efficaciousness of the vows to his wife and convinced her of their importance. Thus both husband and wife became devotees of the niggantha ascetics.
One day he called his son and told him that he was not to consult him any more on worldly matters. Thus deputing his son he devoted himself fully in his religious commitments. He walked into the fasting-hall, swept the ground, spread a bed of grass and sat down to meditate. Thus confirming to the scriptures he observe eleven pratimas (stages of renunciation for a layman) and carried out his fast. In course of time, he renounced all food and drink and patiently waited for his end.
Ananda during the course of his austerities, gained supernatural sight (avadhijnana) with Which he could view an area of five hundred yojanas (one yojana = 8 or 9 miles) across the earth, as well as upwards to the first heaven and downwards to the first hell. Now it so happened that Goyama, the first gandhara (the chief disciple) happened to visit the town. When he heard about the great austerities of Ananda, he decided to meet him. He proceeded to the place where Ananda was dwelling. But as Ananda was feeling extremely weak and ematiated and was unable to go forward towards the venerable ganadhara, he requested him to come near him. Ananda told him about his attainment of supernatural sight and that he could view things upto five hundred yojanas. But Goyama would not believe such a claim was possible on the part of a householder. He approached venerable Mahavira, who was sojourning in the town then and asked him if the claim of Ananda was right. Mahavira replied in affirmative and Goyama had to undergo expiation for doubting the statement of Ananda.
Ananda died after undertaking sallekhana (fast unto death) for one month and was reborn as a heavenly god. Eventually he would achieve salvation.
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