Prolegomena to Prakritica et Jainica

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 96

SEN: SCHOOLS AND SECTS IN JAIN LITERATURE
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when the young ascetic is observing the sāmāyikas and the monk goes after the thief.29 They are said not to accept Mahavira's doctrine of abstention from sin of body, mind and speech in the three-fold divisions of doing it oneself, getting it done by another, or approving of another's doing it.30
On the life of Gosala we have the following details supplied by the Jainas. His father was called Mankhali who used to wander about from place to place exhibiting a picture. Mankhali once came with his wife Bhadda to Saravana and took up his lodging in the cow-shed of a wealthy Brahman called Gobahula and Gosāla was born here. He followed his father's calling. At one time Mahāvira was residing in a weaver's house at Nālandā where Gosāla also happened to come in course of his wanderings. A householder named Vijaya of the city of Rāyagaha entertained Mahāvīra with great honours. Gosala heard of this from the people and meeting Mahavira offered to be his disciple whereupon the latter gave no reply. The same offer was made by Gosala on two subsequent occasions with the same result. Mahāvira left Nālandā and Gosala in his mood of dejection gave away his belongings, shaved his head and went away. He met Mahāvīra again in Paṇiyabhūmi, repeated his offer and it was accepted this time. They lived together in that place for six years."
31
Once on the road from Siddhatthaggāma to Kummaggāma they came across a sesamum shrub in blossom. Gosāla asked if it would die and if so where its seeds would reappear. Mahāvīra replied that the shrub would die but its seeds would appear again in the pods of the same shrub. Gosāla disbelieved this, called Mahavira
29. Bhag. 8.5.328
30. Bhag. 8.5.329
31. According to Kalpa. S.5.122, Mahāvīra lived only a year in Paniyabhumi.