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SHRAMAN MAHAVIR
Jain canonical literature finds Lord Mahavira as omniscient He knew and saw all the creatures and their modes throughout the universe and its diverse planes Buddhistic literature contemptuously dismisses these virtues of Mahavira.
Once Lord Buddha stayed at Kandalak in Venuvana, Rajgriha One wandering monk Sakul Udai stayed at the abbey alongwith his group Lord Buddha called on Sakul Udai in the forenoon The latter requested him to preach Buddha, on the other hand, insisted on Udai saying something Said Udai 'Sire! The one claiming to master all knowledge and witness all occurrences, be he walking or standing or sleeping or waking, was befuddled on being interrogated He began to fidget for the want of replies He began to digress He even showed anger, enmity and distrust that drove me all the more to your Holiness, sır'
'Who is it Udai who proclaims himself to be omniscient and was cornered by your questions?'
'Sire! He is Niggatha Natputta (Nirgrantha NatputraMahavira)!
Jainism believes that once the obstructions to enlightenment are removed, one becomes omniscient and a witness to all occurrences Mahavira never claimed this prerogrative for himself He pronounced that anybody who succeeded in this uncovering of the transcendental knowledge and Vision was entitled to be an omniscient
However, the anecdote is an indication of Mahavira's omniscience, being the common talk then
Omniscience is inborn The external eyes can't achieve this virtue The disciples of Lord Parshwa also did not readily believe Lord Mahavira's omniscience They would first make sure for themselves before they should subscribe to this view
Once the Lord stayed at Dutipalash chaitya near WaniJyagram Gangaiya, a disciple of Lord Parshwa visited him and put various questions to him During the discussionis the Lord said to him 'Pioneer Parshwa had declared the universe to be perennial That leads me to declare that the living beings are
