Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 273

While wandering several places during the last year of his life, one day
rya Rak ita along with his group of disciples went to a place called Ik udhara on the outskirts of Da apura city.
In those days, the philosophical concept of Akriy v da (non-action) was gaining popularity in Mathura. They challenged the followers of all religions for a debate. No scholar dared to debate with these Akriy v ds. In order to protect the long-standing reputation of Jain Religion, the congregation assembled and discussed the matter seriously. Unable to find a competent scholar, capable enough of debating with Akriy v ds, the congregation sent a message to Da apura (Mamdasora) requesting
rya Rak ita to visit Mathur and defeat them in a debate. rya Rak ita had become very old and was aware that he was in the last stage of his life. Under these circumstances, he felt that it was not wise for him to go and therefore deputed his able and well-qualified disciple Go h m hila to Mathura.
Obeying his Guru's order, Go h m hila reached Mathura and debated with the Akriy v ds. Go h m hila's powerful arguments and irrefutable logic shook the very ground beneath the feet of the Akriy v ds. The arbitrators and the members unanimously declared the Akriy v ds as vanquished and Go h m hila as the vanquisher. The honor of Jain Order was glorified and waves of happiness spread all over the congregation. The victorious Go h m hila came back to the services of his Guru at Da apura. A prestigious delegation of the Mathura congregation also accompanied him. They requested rya Rak ita to permit Go h m hila to perform his Rainy season halt in the city of Mathura. The approach and the persuading humble request by the congregation was accepted by rya Rak ita and Go h m hila once again set off to Mathura.
During the rainy season halt period, when rya Rak ita was in Da apura and his disciple Go h m hila in Mathura, the physical condition of rya Rak ita deteriorated day by day and knowing that he would not live much longer, he discussed the issue of the successor with t congregation. From the batch of rya Rak ita, Gh ta Pu yamitra, Vastra Pu yamitra, Durbalik Pu yamitra, Vindhya, Phalgu Rak ita and Go h m hila were the six brilliant disciples. Some of the monks in the congregation favored rya Phalgu Rak ita to be appointed as the
273