Mahavira Life and Philosophy

Author(s): Sumeruchand Diwakar Shastri
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 61

they had drunk delicious and invigorating ambrosia. Several persons had taken vows, even the subhuman beings-animals took vows according to their capacity and capability. The celestials being under the grip of uncontrollable desires could not take any vow, but they developed firm faith in the Teachings of the omniscient Lord Jina and were inspired 10 perform worship of the Lord with deep devotion, which is indispensable for Moksha and self-purification. Noteworthy Point
At Vipulgiri Shrenika Mahamandilika King known as Bimbasar Maharaj, the ruler of Magadha was the head of the lay-disciples and Saint Gautama was the chief of the assemblage of ShramanasSaints. The converson of the inimical brahmin, the doyen of scholars and an opponent of Jainism to a nude devotee of God Mahavira was the object of great attraction and admiration for his superb spiritual and intellectual attainments. This fact exposes the hollowness of the canard of perpetual bitterness and animosity between the Shramanas and Brahmans. This shows that in ancient India the Shramanas and Brahmans had cordial relations,