Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 454

Sec. VI]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
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Gośālaputra, i. e. he was a Maskari ascetic. The Äjivika leader is also connected with Manki of the Mahabharata on the ground of preaching the doctrine of peace (nirveda) and destiny, giving up the principle of Pauruşa (deed) Suddham hi daivamevedam hathe naivāsti pauruşam."
These facts clearly reveal that there existed a class of religious mendicants called Maskari-Parivrājakas, having the belief in the doctrine of Niyativāda (determinism) during the periods of Panini and of the Mahabharata respectively.
Meeting of Gošala with Lord Mahāvīra
The account of the first meeting of Gośāla Mankhaliputra with Lord Mahāvīra in a weaver's workshop at Nalanda and his association with the Master as an ascetic-disciple and dissociation from himn on account of the doctrinal difference arisen out of his reflection on the reanimation of a sesamum plant is discussed in the first section of the eighth chapter in details in connection with the topic 'The ascetic life of Lord Mahāvīra.'
Gosāla as religious teacher
Next, Gośāla Mankhaliputra, having attained the round of twenty-fourth year of his initiation (cauvvīsavāsapariyāe) appears as the teacher and leader of the Ajivika sect in the workshop of the potteress Hālāhalā in the city of Srāvastī. There he, being attended upon by the Ajīvika-Sangha passed time by practising austerity and by explaining and expounding the doctrine of six inviolable principles, viz. acquisition and nonacquisition, happiness and suffering, birth (or life) and death to his followers amongst whom there were the following Dikcaras, namely, Sana, Kalanda (Kanāda ?), Kaniyāra, Acchidda, Aggivesāyaṇa and Ajjuņa Gomāyuputta.'
1 Mahābhārata Sāntiparvan–Ch. 177, vv. 1-14.
Vide India as known to Pāņini' p.383. 2 Bhs, 15, 1, 539.