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in religious meditation. This, then, is the account of origin of Gośāla.
Now, having finished the first series of a month's fasting there, Śramana Bhagavan Mahavira went to the house of a respectable gentleman named Vijaya after a request of food for breakfast on the next day. On seeing the Lord at his house, Vijaya Seth thrilled with joy, did hospitality with savoury foodmaterials and condiments. At that time, musical instruments mixed with the sound of divine kettle-drum played in the skies, and panca-divyas (five divine objects such as showering of red gold resembling a flood of vermilion etc. became manifast and people in triangular public places, in quadrangular areas, end in court-yards uttered shouts of applause. Gośāla heard this account of panca divya and he thought, 'This Venerable Sage posse sees supernatural powers. Let me, therefore, abandon this cult of earning livelihood by the exposition of a picture on a drawing - board and let me remain here as a disciple of this worshipful master. The service done to one who is a mine of virtuous qua lities is not fruitless ". When Gośāla was engaged in these reflections, Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahavira, having completed his breakfast, returned to the weaver's apartment, and stood in Kayotsarga (contemplation with perfect renunciation of body ). Gośāla then, bowing down low at the feet of Śramana Bhagvan Mahavira in a way that all the eight limbs of his body touched the ground, began to request him, O Worshipful Sire I could not comprehend your excellent supernatural powers earlier. Or, even clever persons cannot know the value of praiseworthy gems. Abandonment of my association with my father has resulted in the accomplishment of my much-desired happiness, or, even an unlawful conduct becomes justifiable when Fate is auspicious. What is the use of unnecessary talk? I shall become your disciple. O Venerable Teacher! I have come for protection, therefore, please accept me On hearing this, Śramana Bhagavan Mahāvira remained silent without giving his assent or refusal, and Gośāla, thinking himself as the accepted disciple of Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahavira in accordance with his own notion, maintained himself on alms and he did not leave his proximity.
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