Gandhar Gautam Swami

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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GANADHARS AND ACHARYAS deep thinking, he destroyed his Ghati Karmas and immediately attained Keval-jnan at the age of eighty. He attained Nirvana at the age of ninety-two in 515 B.C. Lord Mahavir attained nirvana on the last day of the Jain and Hindu calendar known as Deepavali day and Gautam-swami attained Keval-jnan on the first day of the New Year. Gautam-swami attaining omniscience Gautam-swami was a Brahmin by birth and a very well learned Pundit. When he met Bhagawan Mahavir and realized that Mahavir was far more knowledgeable and spiritually advanced than him, he let go of his ego and became his disciple. Gautamswami repented for his mistake to Anand Shravak, a layperson, and asked for his forgiveness. He was the first and main disciple of Bhagawan Mahavir. However, it took him a long time to attain omniscience even though many other disciples had attained it much earlier than he. This was due to his attachment for Mahavirswami. In Jainism, attachment to any individual is considered a passion. To attain omniscience, one must get rid of all passions. When Gautam-swami realized this and became detached, he attained Keval-jnan. 40 Jain STORY BOOK