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standard of the austerity of the Worshipiul Lord. Gośālaka, who was praising the austerities of Sramaņa Bhagavana Mahāvīra at every step, now became a preceptor of Ajivika Doctrine, and declaring himself as a Tirthankara, he was preaching the tenets of the Ājivika Doctrine
At this time, śramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvira. moving about through various villages and towns, came to the Koştaka Caitya of Sravasti Nagari Ganadhara Mahāräja Indrabhūti Gautama,the chief disciple-went into the town, with the permission of the Worshipful Lord, on an alms-taking tour While moving about in the town, the Ganadhara Mahārija heard a public rumour at numerous places: Now a days there are two Tirthankaras at Śrävasti. One is Śramaņa Bhagavāna Mahavîra and the other is Mankhali Sramaņa Gošalaka On hearing the public talk, Gapadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama was greatly astonished that numerous persons in Śravastî were calling Gośālaka a Tirthan. kara and a Sarvajna (omniscient). Returning from alms-taking, Gaşadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama, came to Kostaka Caitya and alluding to the subject of public runour, he asked in the presence of the assembly.-Bildgavan 1 How is it that there is public rumour in Śrāvastî that there are at present two Tirthankaras at Śrāvasti ? Is Gośálaka a Sarvajna (omniscient), and a Tirthankara ?
To this question of Indrabhūti Qauiarna, Sramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāvira replied: Gautama ! The public talk about Cośälaka is all false. Gośālaka is not fit to be called a Jina, or a Tirthai. kara. He has been misusing the word "Jina" Gautama ! Gosalaka is neither a Jina nor a Sarvajna. He was born in a cowpen belonging to a Brālimanı named Bahula at Sarvaņ.-grama; and he is called Gośálaka. Being the son of a mendicant named Mankhali, he is surnamed Markall-putra. Twenty-four years ago, he had become my pupil, and he was staying with me. He became separated from me a. ter a few years and thence-forward he has been moving about as he likes, and also talks as he likes."
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