________________
Acharya Shri Kalassagarsun Oyanmandir
www.kabatirth.org
Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
A true Tirthankara cannot be harmed, because his heart is full of love and compassion.
an ENEMY DESTROYS HIMSELF
AHAIRAHAD BLEN TEACHING LORTWENTY-FOUR YEARS traveling from one place to another, when one summer after the rains he came to the town of Shravasti. Here he found a former disciple of his who had once been among his best pupils, but had left to start his own movement. Gosalaka had begun to question Mahavira's spiritual
standing, and had declared himself to be a Tirthankara. He even set himself up as an opponent of his former teacher. One day a disciple of Mahavira named Ananda was begging alms, when a citizen asked him about Gosalaka.
"There are two Tirthankaras in this town," he was told. "How do we know which one to follow?" Unable to give an answer. Ananda returned to Mahavira.
"O venerable teacher, is it true that Gosalala is a Tirthankara?
"He was once my disciple," said Mahavira. "He studied under me for six years, and gained some supernatural powers, which made him famous. But Gosalaka became proud and lost his purity, so he is not able to be a Tirthankara."
These words of Mahavira's reached Gosalaka's ears and angered him. He feared he would be discredited if people heard Mahavira's opinion, so he started to speak out against him. He openly threatened that he could destroy Mahavira. Full of anxiety. Ananda reported this to his teacher.
"Do not fear. Ananda." assured Mahavira. "Gosalaka may have the power to harm an ordinary person, but he has no power over me. A true Tirthankara cannot be harmed, because his heart is full of love and compassion. But if he comes here to attack me," he added, addressing all his disciples, "none of you should speak to him or try to oppose him."
A few days later, with a band of his men. Gosalaka did indeed enter the ashram where Mahavira
A great longe of fame shot from Coxas woli wward d arin encercling later our daug ha Ram then turned back On Gosalakad
severels burned in
For Private And Personal Use Only
