Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 45

38
The same text mentions the name of Suradeva of Varanasi, who took on himself the laws of a householder and acted like Kamadeva and carried on the religious meditations with great delight.31
Sravasti was also an important place at the time of Mahavira. Mahavira spent one of his rainy seasons here and met Mankhaliputra Gosala32 at this place after his separation from the Jaina church.33 We have evidences of a large number of supporters of Jaina faith of whom the names of a rich banker, Mrgara, householder Nandinipiya, and his wife Asvini, and Salinipiya, and his wife Phalguni are important.34
It remains a fact that Jainism was a popular cult in the areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the time of Mahavira but it is also beyond doubt that it being a living religion was spreading fast in other parts of India as well. The Kalpa Sutra35 mentions the congregation of a vast number of the followers of Mahavira at the time of his death, though, sometimes, the number looks exaggerated in proportion to the population of the region it covered. However, it is at least symbolic of the fact that Mahavira converted a large number of people to his faith who remained the follower of Jainism throughout their life.
31 Uvasagadasao, vv. 145-154. 32 Head of the Ajivika Sect.
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33 Kalpa Sutra, 103 ff.
34 cf. B. C. Law, Mahavira: Life and Teachings, pp. 38. 35 Kalpa Sutra, vv. 134-145 (SBE, Vol. XXII, pp. 267-268.)