Jain Journal 1967 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 84

APRIL, 1967
211
41st year, pre-Vikrama 472-71
He proceeded towards Magadha after the rains and settled in the Gunasila caitya at Rajagrha. One important event here was the words of caution that the Lord sent to Mahasataka for having broken equanimity during fast with his entreating and drunk wife. On receipt of the Master's words he made due amends for his slip.
Mahavira solved many important questions raised by Gautama. One related to the existence of a reservoir of hot mineral waters beneath the Baivara hill near Rajagrha ; another dealt with the āyuşyakarma ; a third about human habitation in the manuşyaloka ; a fourth about pleasure and pain ; a fifth about undiluted pain or pleasure ; and so on.
This year Agnibhuti and Bayubhuti, the two Gañadharas entered into nirvāna through month-long fasting at the Gunasila caitya. The rains were passed at Rajagrha.
42nd year, pre-Vikrama 471-70
After the rains Mahavira continued for a month more at Rajagrha. Meanwhile four more Ganadharas, Abyakta, Mandika, Mauryaputra and Akampik followed Agnibhuti and Bayubhuti into nirvāṇa through month-long fasting.
Indrabhuti Gautama raised important questions on the state of things in the dussama-dussama kāla (the sixth era of the abasarpini, the nadir of the lower phase of the time-cycle) that lay ahead, more particularly in Bharata-Varsa during this period. This was a long and vivid discourse in which the Lord gave out the details. On hearing this discourse' many took refuge of the Nirgrantha religion.
This indeed was the last year of Mahavira's mission on earth. Having decided to spend the monsoon retreat at Pava, he arrived and stayed in the Rajjuga Hall of king Hastipala. Three months and a half of the rains were over. It was the dawn of the new moon day of the month of Kārtika. The last congregation was held which was attended among others by nine Licchavis, nine Mallas and eighteen ganarājas. Knowing the approach of his last moment on earth he started a non-stop discourse which continued till late at night. When he was still in the midst of his discourse, Lord Mahavira ascended from this earth, discarding the mortal frame, to the domain of the Liberated. Indrabhuti Gautama, his nearest disciple, who had gone