I am Mahavira

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 75

I AM MAHAVIRA
trodding. However, we have never met each other. He has impressed many royalties and he has the following of nearly 500
mendicants.
4. Ajita Kesakambali: Materialist
Ajita Kesakambali is one more noted contemporary of mine. He wore a blanket of human hairs-hence called Keśakambali. He was a materialist like Cārvāka and believed neither in soul nor in rebirth. He also did not believe in Karmas, sacred and sins. He had very little following. The pure materialistic approach does not tally with my teachings and it is not liked by the people. 5. Sañjaya Belatļhiputta: Agnostic
The biography of this contemporary of mine is not well known to me. However, his teachings have come to me. Accordingly, if you ask some question-say regarding the other world, he will reply in a way. 'I do neither say that it is there, nor do I say that it is not there.'
This is purely agnosticism. His teachings could not become
popular. 6. Pūraņa Kassapa: Theory of Non-Action
The biography of Pūraņa Kassapa is also not well known to me. However, he is said to be a son of a renowned householder. He became a monk out of frustration. He lived naked as a monk. He
was also propounder of the theory of non-action like Mankhali
Gośāla. Accordingly, there is neither sacred nor sin in any action.