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FOUNDING THE RELIGIOUS ORDER
When Bhagavāna attained omniscience he initiated many men and women as ascetics. The most prominent among those who got initiated was Vșşabhasena who was the king of Purimatāla and younger brother of Emperor Bharata. He became the chief Gañadhara (principle disciple) of Bhagavāna, Among the ascetic disciples of Bhagavāna there were eighty-four Ganadharas, each of whom was a leader of one group of ascetics.
A divine pavilion was created for Bhagavāna's discourse. It is called Samavasaraņa. Sitting in that Samavasaraņa Bhagavāna gave his first sermon to the world in his divine voice. This was the first discourse of the dharma (religion) of beatitude of soul that people of the age of work listened for the first time. This was the founding of the religious order by Bhagavāna. The date was Fālguna śukla eleventh.
Bhagavāna pronounced that -
Dharma is the best among propitious things. The attributes of dharma are ahirrsā, discipline and austerities (tapa). Even gods (and emperors, kings, etc.) salute him who is ever absorbed in dhärmu.'
This was the first message of religion. i hus like karma the first propagator of religion was also Bhagavāna Ķşabhadeva.
After this, Bhagavāna travelled all over the country and spread the soothing and beneficent message of religion. He defined the fundamental of the world, described the form of soul and revealed the path of eternal beatitude of soul.
RŞABHADEVA IN NON-JAIN LITERATURE
In the age of human endeavour Rşabhadeva was the first founder of the work-culture and religion: His greatness and universal influence gave rise to numerous faiths and religions around the inspiring story of his life. Out of reverence people saw him in many forms. And each of these forms turned into an independent personality in the minds of people. This is the secret of his having numerous popular names.
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