Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 41

Jainism-A Popular Cult among the House-holders during the Time of Tirthankara Mahavira
BINOD KUMAR TIWARY
Mahavira, during his life time, not only organised a systematic religion and philosphy, but also a well-knit social order of the ascetics and lay followers, who earnestly followed, and practised what he and his immediate disciples preached. He is considered to be a great organiser and due to his impressive personality and thoughtful preachings, he attracted a large number of people, both men and women, to be his disciples. From them, therefore, grew the four orders of his community, viz. monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen,1 which greatly strengthened the structure of his organisation.
Though Jainism became popular in Northern Indian region in a short spell of time and got royal patronage right from the rulers of Sravasti to Magadha, it attracted and influenced the common masses most. Mahavira, first of all, wanted to bring within the fold of his cult those householders, who were to observe certain rules of conduct and he was successful in it. The lay disciples and supporters of Mahavira were noted for their piety and devotion. The ancient Jaina literature mentions a number of very rich householders, merchants, guild presidents and common people, who followed the Jaina code of conduct and were śramaṇopāsakas. Reference to some of them is necessary to show how the people took the new cult during the lifetime of Mahavira.
After getting the omniscience, Mahavira started visiting places of importance in Northern India, delivering his lectures. His first samavasarana was arranged in the garden of Mahasena at Madhyama Pava. In that gathering, eleven learned Brahmanas, who were well versed in the Vedas, had also come with hundreds of their disciples. They listened to Mahavira's discourses and heard the gently thoughtful answers he gave to all questions. Finally, being convinced of the truth of his views, they became his disciples and were appointed as Ganadharas (the chief disciples) by Mahavira himself. The eldest among them was Indrabhuti,2
1 'The Caturvidha-sangha or Catur-varna', I.A., Vol. XXX No. 19, p. 105. Visesavasyaka-bhasya, 1610-12.
2