Jainism For Beginners Level 02

Author(s): Sayampurnashreeji
Publisher: Sayampurnashreeji

Page 85

old at the time & from then
on he was called Gautam- Swami, as he came from the Gautam family. Meanwhile, Somil & the other ten scholars were waiting to greet the expected winner of the debate Indrabhuti Gautam. However, they were stunned to learn that Indrabhuti had become a disciple of Bhagwan Mahavir. The other ten Brahmin scholars, with their disciples, immediately set out to debate with Bhagwan Mahavir & became his disciples too. Dejected & abandoned, Somil cancelled the ceremony & set all the animals free. These eleven learned scholars were the main disciples of Lord Mahavir & they are called the eleven Ganadhars. Anand Shravak's Clairvoyance Knowledge
welcomed Gautam-Swami. He inquired about Anand's health & asked about his special knowledge. With respect, Anand replied to Gautam-Swami, "Reverend Guru. I have attained Avadhi-jnan. With this knowledge I can see as high as the first heaven & as low as the first hell." GautamSwami explained to Anand, “A layman (Shravak) can attain Avadhi-jnan, but not to this magnitude. You need to do Prayashchitta (atonement) for believing you can do this.” Anand was puzzled. He knew that he was correct but his guru questioned his truthfulness & told him to repent for it. He therefore politely asked Gautam-Swami, "Does one need to repent for speaking the truth?” Gautam-Swami was equally puzzled & replied, -No one has to repent for speaking the truth." Thinking that he would confirm this with Bhagwan Mahavir. Gautam-Swami left Anand.
Gautam-Swami was living his life as a Jain monk observing all the austerities and following the five great vows. Once, while returning from Gochari (getting food or alms), he learned that many people were going to pay homage to Anand Shravak (a Jain layman). He also learned that Anand Shravak had attained clairvoyance knowledge known as Avadhijnan by performing severe penance and austerities. Since Anand Shravak was one of Bhagwan Mahavir's followers, GautamSwami decided to visit him.
GANDHARS ACHARYAS
Gautam-Swami returned to Bhagwan Mahavir and asked about Anand's clairvoyance knowledge. Lord Mahavir replied, "Gautam, Anand was telling the truth. He can see as high as the first heaven and as low as the first hell. Rarely can a layman attain such a level of Avadhi-Inan. You should repent for your mistake of doubting him." Lord Mahavir valued truth and would never conceal the mistake of his disciple to protect his own image. Gautam-Swami set aside his alms and immediately returned to Anand and asked for his forgiveness.
When Anand saw Gautam-Swami approaching his house, he was very happy. Though weak, due to
his austerities, he got up &