Mahavira His Life and Teachings

Author(s): Bimla Charn Law
Publisher: Luzac and Co UK

Page 33

26
MARĀVĪRA : HIS LIFE AND TEACHINGS
Gośāla sought him in vain in the city of Rājagrha and its suburbs. He returned to the weaver's shed where he gave away his clothes, vessels, shoes, and pictures to a Brahmin of the place, shaved off his hair and beard, and in despair departed in search of the Master. On his way he passed Kollāga, where he met a large crowd applauding Bahula's liberality towards Mabāvīra. He continued his search and met the Master at last in Paņiyabhūmi, where again he begged to be received as a disciple This time his prayer was granted, and both the Master and the disciple lived together for six years in Paniyabhūmi, practising asceticism. Thereafter they travelled from Paņiyabhūmi to Kūrmagrāma, and from Kūrmagrāma to Siddharthagrāma. While at Kūrmagrāma, they met ascetic Vesayana who remained seated with upraised arms and upturned face in the glare of the sun, while his body was swarming with lice. Gośāla enquired whether he was a sage or a bed of lice Vesayana, being angry, attempted to strike Gośāla with his supernormal powers. Mahāvira explained to him the severe ascetic discipline by which such powers could be obtained
While at Siddhārthagrāma, Gośāla uprooted a sesamum shrub and threw it away. The shrub,