Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

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4. Tha takiag-in of food and attending to the call of nature
by a Tirthankara are not visible to an ordinary mortal. They can be seen by one with Avadbi Jõāna. Masa Kovala Jñana,-Perfect Knowledge-is only possible after the destruction of the four mat Ghatiya,-destructive Karmas viz. 1 TATET ofte Jäānāvaraạiya, Knowledge-obscuring, 2. afarracotta Darśanāvaraniya, Obscuring sensual perception, 3. Hetta Mohniya, Producing delusion of mind, and 4. FeCiT Antarāya, Producing obstacles in the attainment of a desired object.
Tirthankaras are invariably born with three kinds of Jåāna (Knowledge ) viz. 1 #faa Mati Jhana, (Intellect ). 2. par ma Sruta Joana, (Scriptural Knowledge) and 3. Fara Avadhi Jäāna, Knowledge with a scope for limits. Haigela Manab Paryāya Jfāna, they have just after Dikṣā, and they usually aoguire ou Kavala Joana,-Perfect Knowledge,-after the destruotion of their stor Ghātiya ( destructive ) Karmas.
After the destruction of Ghātiya (destructive ) Karmas, and the acquisition of Kèvala Jiana, Tirthankaras take their seat with their face towards the East, in the Sapiavasarana prepared for them by the gods, and preach the principles and practice of Dharma propagated by previous Tirthankaras with a speech as sweet as nectar, reaching a distance of one yojana and perfo. ctly intelligible to gods and goddesses, human beings, and lower animals in the area.
On hearing the preaching of the Tirthankara, some persons (males and females ) adopt Sarva-virati vrata (the vows of an asoetio with total renouncement of the world ) and some of them take Desa-virati vrata (the partial vows of a house-holder ). In this way, a Tirtha or a Sangha ( Congregation) consisting of Badhus (Monks ) Sadhvts (Nuns) Śrāvakas (Male devotees ) and Sravikas (Female devotees is established by every Tirthan. kara in the firat Samarasarana prepared for him. Tirthankara Bhagavan then seleots Ganadharas from among the monks initia