Lord Mahavira and His Times

Author(s): Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 37

Jainism before Lord Mahavira
17
as representatives of the two Jaina Orders, the old and the new. The Bhagavatī Satra' refers to a dispute between Kālāsavesiyaputta, a follower of Pārsva, and a disciple of Mahāvīra. The Nāyādhammakahão" says that Kāli, an old maiden joined Pārsva's order and was entrusted to Pupphachūlā, the head of the nuns. The two sisters of Uppalā joined the order of Pārsva, but being unable to lead the rigid life of the order, they became Brāhmin parivrājikās (female wanderers). Munichanda, a follower of Pārsva, lived in a potter's shop in KumārāyaSannivesa in the company of his disciples. Vijayā and Pagabbhi, two female disciples of Pārsva, saved Mahāvīra and Gośāla in Kūviya-sannivesa.3 The Bhagavatı Sütra4 refers to Gāngeya, a follower of Pārśva in Vāņiyagāma. He gave up the four vows of Pārśva and adopted the five Mahāuratas of Mahāvīra. The Nāyadhammakahão5 mentions Pundariya who accepted the four vows of Pārsva. The followers of Pārsva moved in the company of five hundred monks into the city of Tungiya. A number of laywomen joined Pārsva's Order.? The Rāyapasenaiyasayas refers to a follower of Pārsva naměd Keśí who visited Seyaviyā where a discussion between him and Paesi took place regarding the identity of the soul and body. A follower of Pārsva named Udaka met Gautama, the famous disciple of Mahāvīra. Gautama was successful in winning over Udaka to his side. From the dialogue between Udaka and Gautama, it appears that the followers of Pārśva and the disciples of Mahāvīra were respectively known as the Nigantha Kumăraputtas and the Nigantha Nāthaputtas.
1. Bhag, I, 76. 2. Nāyā, II. i; p. 222 ff. 3. Āva, chii, p. 291. 4. Bhag, IX. 32. 5. Naya, 19, p. 215. 6. Bhag, 2-5. 7. Näya, II, 10. 8. Rāya, 147 ff. 9. Sūtra, II, 7.