Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 80

LIFE OF BHAGWAN MAHAVIR ►
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absolute knowledge on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Vaisakha. He became omniscient, comprehending and visualizing everything in the whole universe. Being free from all Ghati Karma, he now became an Arihanta. The thrones of Indra and the other heavenly gods received tremors the moment Bhagawan Mahavir attained omniscience. Immediately hosts of gods thronged there to celebrate the fourth Kalyanak or auspicious occasion.
They constructed a divine Assembly Hall known as Samavasaran for Bhagawan Mahavir's first sermon. He delivered the first sermon at night when only the gods were present. Then, Bhagawan traveled to Pavapuri and stayed in the garden named Mahasen. The gods constructed another Samavasaran hall. Sitting under the Ashok tree,
delivered a sermon in Ardha-Magadhi.
Mahavir
11 Learned Brahmins. INITIATED AS GANADHARS
B
hagawan Mahavir, endowed with many Atishaya either ordinary attributes, delivered a soulstirring and heart felt sermon in the assembly of heavenly, gods, human beings, and animals. Even though a great sacrifice was in progress simultaneously in another part of the city, huge crowds were seen going in the opposite direction towards the Samavasaran. Indrabhuti of Gautam Gotra, the chief priest, was told about Bhagawan Mahavir's Samavasaran. On hearing this, his vanity was hurt and he decided to put to test the so-called omniscience of the saint. He, therefore, decided to visit the Samavasaran accompanied by his disciples.
Bhagwan Mahavir called him by his name and without being asked resolved his doubts about the soul, upon which Gautam along with his five hundred disciples accepted monk hood, Hearing this, the remaining ten learned scholars came there and having their secret doubts resolved, accepted initiation with fortyfour hundred disciples. Bhagwan Mahavir established the four-fold Sangha and preached the path to liberation. Eleven learned Brahmins became his principles disciples and are known as Ganadhars.