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** Lord Mahavira
separated from the Lord with a small band of his companions. Mahâvîra himself repaired to Kausambi, then to Rajgrha where he spent the next rainy season; then after the end of the rains to Campa, where after the death of Srenika, his son, Kunika, had transferred his capital. From Campa he turned towards Mithila and spent the next rainy season there.
It was when Mahâvîra proceeded to Sravasti after the rainy season that he had his famous encounter with Gosala, who after separating from Mahâvîra had continued to hang about the city claiming among his followers the patter-woman Hala-hala and the minstrel Ayampul. Gosala had, of course claimed for himself the status of a Tîrthankara so that these arose the anomaly of two Tirthankaras staying at the same town. When questioned about it Mahâvîra denounced Gosala and stated in a public audience that he was not a Tirthankara nor a true believer whereupon Gosala got enraged and visited Mahâvîra for a religious discussion. The discussion was, of course, inconclusive, but two disciples of Mahâvîra who interevened where burnt up by his fiery power. Gosala attempted to burn Mahâvîra himself, but was unsuccessful. The after effects of Gosala's fiery attack were, however, felt by Mahâvîra and he suffered great pains later on. The rainy season was passed at Mithila.
From Mithila, Mahâvîra went towards Kosala-pancala, visiting Sravasti, Ahicchatra, Hastinapur and other towns and returned for the next rainy season to Vanijyagrama. The last few rainy seasons were spent at Rajgrha, Vanijyagrama, Vaisali, Vaisali again, Rajgrha, Nalanda, Vaisali, Mithila, Rajgrha, Nalanda, Mithila, Mithila again, Rajgrha, until at the age of 72 he attained Nirvana on Kartika Amavasya at Pavapuri.
