Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

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

Page 24

ted by him, a few monks who are intelligent, clever in Sastras, and able to act as competent instructors of the Siddhantas, and out of the selected few, he appoints one-as his chief disciple-and the head of the Church-in accordance with his individual excellent qualities, explains them the fra Tripadi, a formula having three syllables (CUTE Utpāda, Origin, 4 Vyaya, Destruction and o Dhrauvya, Stability ) and instructs them to compose the Siddhāntas. The Ganadharas being highly talented, renowned, and illustrious, compose the Siddhāntas within 48 minutes.
With the aoquisition of Kavala Jäāna, in addition to the four atisayas ( qualities of excellence ) acquired by birth, Tirthankaras have eleven atisayas such as freedom from pestilence, famines etc., for a distance of 125 Yojanas etc, and nineteen atisayas created by gods such as beating of divine drums, showers of divine flowers etc, making a total of thirty-four atiśayas of a Tirthankara and they are adored by gods, demi-gods, Cakravartins, Baladėvas, Vāsudėvas and hy devout human beings. Nume. rous gods respectfully attend on them. Tirthařkaras then go to various towns and villages preaching the Siddhāntas propagated by previous Tirthankaras, till at the end they acquire Moksa (Final Emancipation ).
The life of Sramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvira is full of many instances of total abhorence of worldly pleasures, forbearance, undaunted courage in enduring numerous sufferings created by gods and human beings, and severe austerities regardless of hiscomfort to his body. Sramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvira was perfectly destitute of Rāga ( Affection), and Dvèsa ( Malice ). He had the same equanimity of mind towards the farmer who thrust ironnails into his ears, or the Candakausika snake who had bitten him when he was in Kâyotsarya, or towarıls the gol Sangama, who harassed Šramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira with twenty tormenting sufferings during one night, and towards the devout Indra who extolled him.
śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira was not the Founder of the