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and said that there were only seven continents and seven oceans in the Unlverse, and nothing more or less.
When Sramana Bhagavana Mahāvira came to Hastināpura, Siva Rājarși was there and he was propagating his theory of seven continents and seven oceans and there were discussions on this theory among the public When Gañadhara Bhagavāna Indrabhūti Gautama went for alms into the town, he heard the talk about Śiva Rājarsi's seven continents and oceans.
Returning to Sahasrāmra-vana Udyāna, Canadhara Bhagavăna Indrabhuti Gautama questioned sramana Bhagavāna Mahāvira ---Bhagavan ! Śiva Rājarsi says that there are only seven continents and seven oceans in the Universe. Is there any truth in his saying ? What is your doctrine in this matter? Śramana Bhagavāna Mahăvira said :--What Śiva Rajarsi says that there are only seven contiments and seven oceans is false. My saying in this subject is that there are numerons continents like Jambu Dvipa and there are numerons oceans like Lavaga Sanudra (Salt Sea). Their form is similar but there is a differnece in the exstent of each one of them. At that time, there was a large assembly facing Sramana Bhagavāna Mahavira, Towns-people, who had come there either for darsana or for vandana (respectful bowing down or for dharma-śravana (hearing a religious sermon) were sitting there After hearing the sermon, all the towns-people went home. All were talking abont the explanation given by Sramana Bhagavāna Mahāvīra specially in relation to the questioning about the theory of seven continents and seven oceaus of Siva Rajarsi. They said : -The theory of seven contients and seven oceous announced by Siva Rajarsi is not correct. Sramaņa Bhagavāna Mahāyira says that the continents and oceans in the Universe are not seven only, but they are numerous. Siva Rājarsi was not unfamilior with the attainments and prowess of Sramana Bhagavān Mahāvira. He had heard about the knowledge and greatness of Sramaņa Bhasavāna Mahāvira a number of times On hearing the expianation of Śramaga Bhagavana Mahāvîra about his our theory of seven
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