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APRIL, 1967
Then Mahavira set his feet on the way to Rajagrha where he stayed in the Gunasila caitya. At this time, King Srenika was the ruling monarch at Rajagrha whose younger queen Cellana was a near relative of Mahavira and a follower of the śramana religion. The king and members of the royal household, nobles and citizens, all attended the congregation addressed by Mahavira. From this assemblage, Prince Megha Kumar, Nandisena and many others joined the śramaṇa order, Prince Abhaya, Sulasa and many other men and women becoming the lay disciples, and the king himself expressed profound admiration for Mahavira's sermons and was initiated in equanimity. The Lord spent the monsoon months at Rajagrha helping the spiritual elevation of the people and then set out for Videha.
199
14th year, pre-Vikrama 499-498
In Videha, Mahavira reached Brahmanakunda where he settled in the Bahusala park outside the city. This place was not far from his own birthplace at Ksatriyakunda. So when the news of his arrival reached there, thousands flocked from both the cities to see him and to listen to his words. Among the many that were initiated into the order, the most illustrious were Jamali, his son-in-law and his daughter Priyadarsana. Brahmin Risabhadatta and his wife Devananda, who would have been his parents in this life if the embryo was not transferred to the womb of Trisala, were also initiated. For about a year Mahavira moved about in Videha and spent the monsoon months at Vaisali.
15th year, pre-Vikrama 498-97
On the termination of the monsoons, he left for Vatsya. On the way, he reached Kausambi where he stayed at the Candavatarana caitya. The minor king Udayana with the members of the royal household paid his respect to Mahavira. The most note-worthy event here was the religious discussion with Jayanti, already a celebrated follower of the path, and her initiation into the religious order. Then on his way to north Kosala, he reached Sravasti where he stayed at the Kosthaka caitya. Then he returned to Videha. Needless to add, at every place he had important recruits to the order. He spent the monsoon months at Vanijyagrama in Videha where Gāthāpati Ananda and his wife Sivananda took twelve vows prescribed for the members of the household.
16th year, pre-Vikrama 497-96
From Vanijyagrama, he entered into Magadha and reached the Gunasila caitya at Rajagrha. Here on the query of Indrabhuti Gautama
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