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Lord Mahâvira
provided a very beautiful Preaching Hall for the Lord on the summit of the Vipula mount, to which even the animals had access; but the Tirthankara was still silent. How could be preach Ahinsa and Anekanta when the atmosphere was laden with the abhorring smell of Himsa and Hatred ? Indra realised it. He went to Indrabhuti Gautama, who was residing near Nalanda & was the acknowledged leader of the bloody sacrifices and empty rituals and brought him in the presence of Mahâvîra. Now the golden opportunity had arrived : Mahâvîra foresaw the importance of the conversion of Indrabhuti Gautama. Accordingly, He delivered his first sermon to him asking him convinced of the same life to be found in every living being : so the man should regard every living being equal to his own soul and be as asiduous in cherishing the life of others as his own. The Sermon of Compassion had its own influence : forthwith Indrabhuti Gautama with his hundred of disciples took refuge in His lotus-feet and thus ended the bloody sacrifices in no time.
From Rajgriha Mahâvîra started his preaching tour all over Aryavarta. He visited almost all the important cities and towns of India, namely Nalanda, Vaishali; Vaniyagrama, Kumariparvata, Pataliputra, Champa Sravasti, Ayodhya, Baranasi, Koshmbi, Alabhi, Kampilya, Polasapur, Ujjayani, Mathura, Majjhimika, Simhapura, Taksashila, Vitabhayanagara and many other places, where He preached the religion of equality and self-reliance based on the blessed principles of Truth and Ahinsa to Aryans and non-Aryans alike. Even the animals turned to pay homage to the Lord of Compassion. Tributes to Mahâvîra by King Bimtisara and Others
Wherever Mahâvîra went He was received with great respect and honour. The eighteen confederate kings of Kasi and Kosala, the nine Mallakis and the nine Licchavis and others were the royal followers of Mahâvîra, who appreciated His catholic and democratic teachings.15 The people of Anga and Magadha were equally proud to think their country was hallowed by the presence of so great a teacher and guide as Mahâvîra. 16 King Srenika Bimbisara of Magadha paid the following glowing tribute to Mahâvîra when he met him at Rajgraha:
"You have made the best use of human birth, you have
