Lord Mahavira Vol 01

Author(s): S C Rampuria
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute

Page 30

Vardhamana Initiated Himself as a Monk
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arising from divine powers, men, and animals, with undisturbed and unafflicted mind, careful of body, speech, and mind. (24)
The Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira passed twelve years in this way of life; during the thirteenth year in the second month of summer, in the fourth fortnight, the light (fortnight) of Vaisâkha, on its tenth day, called Suvrata, in the Muhûrta called Vigaya, while the moon was in conjunction with the asterism Uttaraphalgunî, when the shadow had turned towards the east, and the first wake was over, outside of the town Grimbhikagrâma28 on the northern bank of the river Rigupâlikâ29, in the field of the householder Sâmâga, in a north-eastern direction from an old temple30, not far from a Sâl tree, in a squatting position with joined heels exposing himself to the heat of the sun, with the knees high and the head low, in deep meditation, in the midst of abstract meditation, he reached Nirvâna31, the complete and full, the unobstructed, unimpeded, infinite and supreme, best knowledge and intuition, called Kevala. (25) When the Venerable One had become an Arhat and Gina, he was a Kevalin, omniscient and comprehending all objects, he knew all conditions of the world, of gods, men, and demons; whence they come, where the go, whether they are born as men or animals (kyavana), or become gods or hellbeings (upapâda); their food, drink, doings, desires, open and secret deeds, their conversation and gossip, and the thoughts of their minds; he saw and knew all conditions in the whole world of all living beings. (26)
On the day when the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira reached the Kevala, the gods (of the four orders of) Bhavanapatis, Vyantaras, Gyotishkas, and Vimânavâsins descended from, and ascended to heaven, &c. (as on the moment of his birth, see above, $ 7). (27)
Then when the Venerable Ascetic Mahâvira had reached the highest knowledge and intuition, he reflected on himself and the world: first he taught the law to the gods, afterwards to men. (28)
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Hatthottarâ in the original. Kalpa Sûtra, $ 1. Vimanas are palaces of the gods. Cf. Kalpa Sútra, $2. Cf. Kalpa Sûtra, $ 97.
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