Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 84

To everyone's surprise, the celestial beings did not stop at their site. They continued past their site and headed towards the nearby Mahasen forest. Indrabhuti learned that the celestial beings were going to pay homage to Bhagawan Mahavir who had just attained Keval-jnan and was about to deliver his first sermon in the language of the common people called Ardha MagadhiPrakrit.
Indrabhuti had doubts about the existence of the soul or Atma.
He was furious that the celestial beings did not pay their respect to his sacrificial rite. He angrily thought to himself, "Who is Mahavir? He does not even use the rich Sanskrit language to deliver his sermon, but speaks the common people's language of Ardha Magadhi." He decided to debate with Mahavir in order to prove to the celestial beings that he was more knowledgeable than Mahavir. So he left with his five hundred disciples to debate with Mahavir.
Bhagwan Mahavir said, "Indrabhuti, do you doubt the existence of soul?" Then he explained that the soul exists & it is eternal. He provided proper interpretation of the Hindu scriptures (Vedas) & convinced Indrabhuti that the soul does exist. Indrabhuti was shocked & surprised that Bhagwan Mahavir knew his doubts about the existence of the soul & the proper interpretation of his scriptures. He felt awakened, refreshed, & realized how incomplete his knowledge had been. He became Bhagwan Mahavir's first & chief disciple. Indrabhuti was fifty years
GANDHARSACHARYAS
Bhagwan Mahavir welcomed Indrabhuti by his name even though they had never met before. At first, Indrabhuti was caught off guard, but then he thought, "Why should Mahavir not know my name?/ am Indrabhuti Gautam, the famous scholar."
Also Bhagawan Mahavir's omniscience (unbounded knowledge) allowed him to know all of Indrabhutis thoughts. Mahavir realized that Indrabhuti had come to debate with him. He also realized that
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