Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 42

JULY, 1988
who was followed by Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, Vyakta, Sudharma, Mandita, Mauryaputra, Akampita," Acalabhrata,10 Metarya11 and Prabhasa. 12 It is stated that the 4,400 disciples of these eleven Gaṇadhāras were also converted to Jainism by Mahavira.13 In course of time, the Gaṇadharas became well versed in the twelve Angas, the fourteen Purvas and the whole Ganipiṭaka.14 They were given permission also to teach the texts and their various meanings to others.
The Jaina sources inform that in the city of Vanijyagrama, there lived a rich householder, named Ananda.15 The name of his wife was Sivananda, who is said to be very beautiful. In the sixteen year of his ascetic life, when Mahavira went in that area, Ananda went to pay homage to him in the temple of Dutipalasaka. He asked Mahavira that he wanted to practise grhadharma.16 Mahavira acceded to his request and thus he became a lay disciple and thenceforth he observed the vows earnestly.17 His wife Sivananda also went to the Lord and took dikṣa for householder, suitable for a female.18
Visesavasyaka-bhasya, 1644.
Ibid., 1646.
5 Ibid., 1662-69.
The various sources refer that at the same Vanijyagrama, a Brahmin named Somila became the disciple of Mahavira with his five hundred followers when Mahavira had gone there in the 33rd year of his ascetic life. Here too, Gangeyamuni, a disciple of Parsvanatha, came to see Mahavira and was so much influenced by him that he took dikṣā from him and led an ascetic life. A wealthy Jaina merchant, Sudarsana, had also a dialogue with Mahavira on various problems and was convinced with his answers. He became a staunch follower of this faith and studied the fourteen Purvas of the Jaina Siddhāntas.
3
4
Ibid., 1785-1801.
7 Ibid., 1863.
8 Ibid., 1875-77.
9 Ibid., 1885-1900.
10 Ibid., 1911-1940.
11 Ibid., 1949-58.
12 Ibid., 2024.
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5
13 Trisasthi-salaka-purusa-caritra (TSPC) X.5.
14 Avasyaka-niryukti, 658-60.
15 Uvasagadasao, vv. 3-13, 58, 79-89; TSPC, VII. 235-264.
16 The duties of a householder consisted of five minor vows and seven disciplinary practices.
17 TSPC. (ed. M. H. Johnson). p. 207.
18 Ibid., p. 208; Uvasagadasao, v. 58.