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Bhagavāna :-Noble Persons ! Puruşādāniya Pārsva Nātha Arhanta (Iirthankara Pārsva Nātha)- the most excellent among human beings) has declare that :-"The loka (world) is śāśvata (eternal)-anādi (without a beginning) and ananta (without an end) It is paritta (composed of numerous pradéśas as well as parivrita (pervaded with a lokākāśa ). Its lower part is broad, middle one is narrow and its upper portion is wide. Its lower part resembles a bed-stead ; its middle part is narrow like a club and its upper part resembles an upraised mridanga (drum). In this beginingless and endless Loka, ananta (endless) living beings are produced and destroyed and limited living beings are produced and destroyed. So there is Origination, Destruction and Permanence in this loka. The other element 'Ajīva Kāya' or Matter, makes the world visible. The A-jiva dravya existing in the world is clearly visible and therefore it is called Loka. Lokyaté iti lokaḥ-That which is visible is loka-as distinguished from a-loka.
The sthaviras of Tirthankara Pārsva Nātha were greatly satisfied with the explanation given by Śramaņa Bhagavana Mahävira, and they became fully confident that Śramapa Bhagavāna Mahāvira is both Sarvajna (omniscient) and Sarva-darsi (all-seeing). Repeatedly saluting Bramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvīra and going three times round him from right to left by way of a pradaksinä they said: Bhagavan ! We are willing to accept your Five Great Vows and Pratikramapa kriyā of Ascetic life instead of our Four Vows."
Accepting the request of the Sthaviras, Šramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvīra replied:-0 Beloved of the gods ? You are at liberty to do it with great pleasure. The sthaviras of Tirthankara Bhagavān Pāréva Nátha took Bhagavatî Diksâ with Five Great Vows at the hands of śramaņa Bhagavān Mahävira and having passed ascetic life for a long time they attained Nirvāņa Pada (Final Emancipation).*
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