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Life-stories of the Buddha and Mahāvira
[ 103 themselves did not possess. It is reported that it is only for the sake of custom that they attended the school. (9) Marriage :
Not all accounts agree as regards the marriage of the Buddha and the name of his wife. It is curious to note that even the Jaina writers differ as regards the marriage of Mahavira. The wife of the Buddha is named as Bhaddakacca, Yasodharā, Subhaddakā, Rāhulamātā, Yosovati, Bimba and Gopa. Mahavira's wife is named Yasodā. This name is some what similar to the name Yaíodharā. Moreover, it is curious to find that the Mabāvira's dauhitri (daughter's daughter) is named as Jasavai. This name is very similar to the name of the Buddha's wife, Yasovati. (10) Exhortation by gods :
It is mentioned that when the gods of the Lokāntika Brahmaloka knew that Māhavira has decided to renounce the world, they came before him according to their custom. And after prayer they exhorted him to preach the path which would be beneficial to all the creatures.
In the story of the Buddha also this exhortation is accepted as customary and the gods themselves take the forms of an old man, etc , in order to rouse him. Here we should note that when the Buddha was enlightened and was hesitating to preach the path the gods came before him and requested him to preach the law and not to have any hesitation in doing so. (11) Māravijaya :
Both the great men have passed through severe austerities in order to be enlightened. And we find the chapter on Māravijaya in the story of the Buddha. The story of the conquest of Sangama god in the life of Mahāvira is similar to that of the Buddha's Māravijaya. Both these legends contain similar elements. The Buddha and Mahāvira were not deprived of their inner peace and calmness even when Māra and Sangama inflicted tortures upon them and at last they conquered the evil, represented by Māra and Sangama. Concluding remarks :
These and many other such common features should be noted and studied in detail in order to find out the kernel of their life-story which is overlaid with very many extra elements in the course of long period of time. This type of study enables us to recognise the interplay of the influence of one story on the other as they are found as present.
References Lalitavistara Jatakatthakatha, part I. E. J. Thomas, Life of Buddha as Legend and History. Āvas yakacūrni.
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