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and Sadhvis ! You and others like you, who are desirous of acquiring the happiness of Mokṣa (Final Emancipation) should habituate yourselves to endure patiently the taunts, molestations, and even chastisements of people
Twentieth Year of Ascetic Life (B. C. 549-548)
Soon after the close of the rainy season, Śramaņa Bhagaväna Mahavira went in the direction of Kausambî in Vatsa-desa
During his journey from Rajagriha to Kausambi, Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvīra had to pass by Alambhikâ. Nagarï-a large town in the territories of Kasi, Ruşîbhadra-putra stayed there for a few days Risibhadra and a number of wealthy adherents of Jainism lived at Alambhiykā
At that time, a question about the duration of life-limit of celestial beings in various déva-lokas was being discussed in a society of Jaina laymen. A member named Risibhadra-putra of the Society, said:-0 good men! The lowest limit of the duration of life in dèva-lokas is at least ten thousand years and the highest is 33 sägaromopams. Beyond that limit there is no dévaloka The minds of the Jaina house holders were not satisfied with this explanation of Rişibhadra and they returned home,
Śramana Bhagavāna Mahāvîra was staying at Samkha Vana pleasure-garden of Alambika Nagari. The news of the arrival of Śramana Bhagavan Mahāvîra in Śamkha Vana spread rapidly in the town and thousands of persons desirous of darśana and ob eisance thronged there. Risibhadra-putra and other devotees went with all their pomp to pay their respects and they heard the preaching. After the preaching, some of the devotees with a low bow said:- Bhagavān! Risibhadra-putra says that the low est limit of the duration of life of celestial beings is ten thousand years and the highest is thirty-three Sagaropams. Is it true that what he says is quite right? Śramaņa Bhagavan Mahavira replied:O good men! What Rişibhadra-putra said is quite true.
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