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Lord Mahavira
venerated as Kevalin. But for lack of ability and profound scholarship, his ambition could not be fulfilled. On his bold assertion, Gautama said to him, “If you regard yourself as Kevalin, please answer two questions : (i) Is the world eternal or non-eternal ? (ii) Is the soul eternal or non-eternal ?" Jamali was perplexed and could not reply. Mahâvîra said to him, "O Jamali, many of my monk-disciples are in a state of 'Chadmastha'. Even then, like me, they are capable of answering these questions. But they do not speak in the terms you have just spoken i.e. I am
Jina' or 'Kevalin'.” Mahavira, then, explained to Jamali the nature of the world and the soul in answer to these questions. Thus, it was known that many other monks in the Holy Order were more advanced in their studies and knowledge than Jamali.
Jamali listened to Mahâvîra but could not repose faith in him. He left again, leading the life of an ascetic for a number of years. He misled himself and others by expounding a false doctrine under the influence of wrong belief. But he failed totally to gather followers and all his fellow-monks deserted him. Observing a fortnight's 'fast unto death' ('samlekhana), he emanciated his body and died without expiating his sins. Then, he was born in Lantaka heaven as a 'Low inferior god' (Kilbisika
god). 26
After his death, Gautama asked Lord Mahâvîra some questions regarding Jamali and the Kilbisika gods. One of the questions was: 'Where would Jamali be born after completing his duration of life as a god in the heaven ?' The Lord said, 'O Gautama, having wandered for four or five cycles of births and deaths in sub-human, human, heavenly and hellish lives, he would become ‘Emancipated' and thus end all misery.'
The commentators on the Bhagavati raise an interesting questions and try to answer it. 'Why was he (Jamali) initiated by Lord Mahâvîra, who knew before hand the future events as he was in possession of infinite knowledge ?' In answer to this question, they state that even great persons are probably unable to turn the course of events, which are destined to take place. Or, the Lord regarded it, i.e., initiation of Jamali, advantageous in a way. The Venerable Tirthankaras never engage in frivolous activities.
