Jain Journal 1971 04

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

Page 24

The Conversion of Agnibhuti
Ganadharavāda, Višeşāvašyakabhāşya (gāthās 1606-44)
(The Ganadharavāda is an important work in Prakrit. It is a part of the Višeşāvašyakabhāşya (gāthās 1549-2024) of Jinabhadra (489-593 A.D.) and describes the controversies between Lord Mahavira and Indrabhuti and other Brahmanical thinkers who after much intellectual discussion were convinced of the truth of Mahavira's teaching and joined him as his faithful and devoted disciples and preached his teachings and philosophical views. A number of philosophical topics come up for discussion here and different views and speculations about them are discussed ; all other possible alternatives are explained and refuted, and the Jaina view is established. Thus the Ganadharavāda gives an insight into a number of problems of Indian philosophy from different points of view. The text has been translated by Esther A. Solomon into English and published by Gujarat Vidyasabha in 1966. Below we give the piece in which problem of Agnibhuti-Does Karma exist or not ?-is discussed.
Hearing that he (Indrabhuti) had become a monk, a second one came indignant. "I shall go, defeat that Sramana and bring him (Indrabhuti).
“I think that he has been cheated by tricks of debate-chala (quibble) etc., or he (Mahavira) may be a magician (sorcerer). Who knows what actually happened ? Now his doings will be found out.