Sruta Sarita

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre

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ŚRUTA-SARITĀ
given to him. Here we should note the similarity between the name of the Buddha and that of the father of Mahāvīra. Both are called Siddhārtha.
(8) Schooling :
Writers of both the stories are of the opinion that for both of them there was no need of going to school. They have written that their teachers were astonished to find in them the type of knowledge which the teachers themselves did not possess. It is reported that it is only for the sake of custom that they attended the school. (9) Marriage :
Not all accounts agree as regards the marriage of the Buddha and the name of his wife. It is curious to note that even the Jaina writers differ as regards the marriage of Mahāvīra. The wife of the Buddha is named as Bhaddakaccā, Yasodharā, Subhaddakā, Rāhulamātā, Yośovati, Bimbā and Gopā. Mahāvīra's wife is named Yasodā. This name is somewhat similar to the name Yasodharā. Moreover, it is curious to find that the Mahāvīra's dauhitrī (daughter's daughter) is named as Jasavai. This name is very similar to the name of the Buddha's wife. Yasovati.
(10) Exhortation by gods :
It is mentioned that when the gods of the Lokāntika brahmaloka knew that Mahāvīra has decided to renounce the world, they came before him according to their custom. And after prayer they exhorted him to preach the path which would be beneficial to all the creatures.
In the story of the Buddha also this exhortation is accepted as customary and the gods themselves take the forms of an old man, etc., in order to rouse him. Here we should note that when the Buddha was enlightened and was hesitating to preach the path the gods came before him and requested him to preach the law and not to have any hesitation in doing so. (11) Maravijaya :
Both the great men have passed through severe austerities in order to be enlightened. And we find the chapter on Māravijaya in the story of the The story of the conquest of Sangama god in the life of Mahāvīra is similar to that of the Buddha's Māravijaya. Both these legends contain similar elements. The Buddha and Mahāvīra were not deprived of their inner peace and calmness even when Māra and Sangama inflicted tortures upon them and at last they conquered the evil, represented by Māra and Sangama.