Path of Arhat

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Smarak Parshwanath Shodhpitha Varanasi

Page 70

Mahavīra : A Non-violent Revolutionary
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season ) at Pavāpuri. It is in this way that his initial second discourse was fruitful and be started his march of victory, Three months of his four monthly stay were over and the end of the dark half of the month of kārtika was coming near. The master saw that it was the time for his soul to leave the last of its earthly connections. At that time ( according to kalpa. sūtra ) eighteen confederate kings of Kasi and Košala, nine Licchavis, and nine Mallas and many others had gathered for his Darśana. Before his (Nirvāṇa ) the master gave his last discourse showing how sinful life ends in a series of painful events, and how the life devoted to virtues like non-violence and truth ends in peace, tranquility and happiness. Gañadhara Sudharma who survived the master has recorded this discourse in the scripture called 'Uttaradhyayana-sūtra'.
The master was conscious of the attachment which Indrabhuti Gautam, his principle disciple, had for him. He wanted Gautam to shed away this attachment, an obstacle to his attainment of Kaivalya. He therefore, sent Gautam away on a mission so that he may not witness his end.
After finishing his last discourse the master went into final meditation called "Sukla Dhyāna' and gave up his mortal frame after midnight of the last day of the dark half of the month of kártika. The assemblage of kings and others, gathered there declared : "Since the light of intelligence is gone, let there be an illumination of the material matter.” Thence forwards it became the day of illumination-the day called Dipavali-to commemorate the illumination of knowledge made in the psyche of contemporary Indian society. The grateful nation still commemorates this day as the day of illumipation, the Dipavali day when every hut and palace in every corner of India is illuminated with lights. It is this light of non-violence and truth which inspired, the father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi who carried the torch of illumination ever to the murky field of politics.