________________
Jamali : His Life and point of difference from lord Mahavira
101
The commentators rely on an old tradition (EGRÜYGRITET, 40€. It is difficult to find out the source of this tradition. But one thing is obvious. If we accept the list of names of Mahâvîra's relatives as given in the Kalpasutra and Acaranga to be reliable, we should admit the accuracy of this tradition. This list bears testimony to the fact that Mahâvîra was married, he had a daughter and a grand-daughter (daughter's daughter) who was named Sesavati or Yasovati. Thus there is nothing to contradict that Priyadarsana was married to Jamali. The absence of any allusion in respect of this notable event in the canon seems to be a merely accidental one. 4. The hearing of Lord's sermon
Jamali was leading a life of ease and pleasure, when one day he heard a great commotion from his elevated palace. Curiosity arose in his mind. At once, he called his chamberlain (Kancukin) and asked him to inquire into the matter. The chamberlain acquainted him with the actual state of the scene. The Venerable Omniscient Lord Mahâvîra was staying in Bahusala caitya of Brahmana- kundagrama. The people of different status and varying ages were rushing to that place to pay their respects to the Lord and hear his discourse.
Jamali lost no time to make up his mind to visit the holy place. Having executed the formalities and preparations suitable for the occasion, Jamali, accompanied by his friends and relatives, started towards the Bahusala caitya passing through the main roads of his town. Arriving at the spot, he solemnly circumambulated the Lord three times from the left to the right and bowing down saluted him.
He was profoundly impressed by the serenity and majesty of the Lord's appearance. He heard the discourse patiently and felt an intuition that there was a true solution of the knotty problem of life. The sermon moved him deeply. He realized that it was time for him to renounce the worldly life. After the dispersal of the congregation, Jamali approached the venerable Lord and manifested to him his desire to become a monk in the following words :
'Revered Sir, I have verily the faith in the preachings of Nirgranthas (outwardly and inwardly unfettered), I trust those
