Sthaviravali

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay
Publisher: Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha

Page 93

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he had brought from the village, under the gupernatural power of AGIFEN Mabānasa Labdbi and then he himself took his meals. All the newly-initiated hermit-sādhus were greatly astonished.
When the hermit-sādhus were taking their meal, the five hundred hermits who took only dry moss on their break-fastday acquired #96 Kévala Jnāna, Perfect Knowledge while contemplating thus-We are very fortunate in acquiring Śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra Paramātmā the father of the world, as our worthy preceptor in religion. Besides we are, in every way, lucky in acquiring this Muni as our instructor who is just like a father to us.
The second batch of hermit-sadhus including To Datta, acquired #T IA Kévala Jnāna on seeing the splendour of the watchmen of Sramaņa Bhagavan Mahāvīra.
The third batch of hermit-sādhus acquired #rania Kévala Jnāna, Perfect Knowledge, as soon as they saw Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra from a distance,
They then went three times from left to right round Śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra and when they were going towards the assembly of Kévalins, Gautama Gañadhara said “ Give respectful salutations to the Venerable Saint."
Srama na Bhagavān Mahāvīra, there upon, said “O Gautama ! Do not be disrespectful towards Kévalins. On hearing these words, Gañadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama asked pardon of the Kévalins.
Ganadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama, again had the following idea in his mind, at that time:-"I will not positively have fefag Siddhi-pada, the abode of Final Liberation during this life. I have, still many severe evil Karmas left with me. These great sages are fortunate that though they have bee only recently initiated by me they acquired a Kévala Jnāna, Perfect Knowledge, in a moment.