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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. VII
A critical study of the account of Parivrtya-parihāra undergone by the Ajivika leader in the form of his autobiography throws an important light on the history of Ajivikism that it began 133 years before him.'
Besides, it might imply, as in the Jatakas, that life is continued through the virtue of the former births. In this case of Parivṛtya-Parihara of Gośāla the principle of Buddhavada or Tirthankaravada is applied, for he proclaims himself as the twenty-fourth Tirthankara.
The tradition is recorded in the Jātakas that the Gautama Buddha, took many incarnations as bodhisattva, while the Jainas admit that the soul assumes numerous births for the well-being of this world before being born as Tirthankara. There were twenty-four such Tirthankaras amongst whom Lord Mahāvīra was the last.
Spiritual dual between Gośāla and Lord Mahavira
At the denial of discipleship of Lord Mahavira by Gośāla the Master rebuked him thus "You are not worthy of it, Gośāla and you are the self-same person, not anybody else." Then the Ajivika leader, inflamed with the fire of wrath cursed and reviled the Master again and again, "To-day you are no more. There is no happiness of yours from me, etc." Being unable to bear this insult hurled at their teacher, two disciples of Lord Mahāvīra named Sarvãnubhuti and Sunakṣatra got up and requested Gośāla in succession not to revile and curse the Master in such a manner and they repeated the same rebuke to him as made by their teacher. At this reproach the Ajivika leader, being very angry reduced Sarvanubhuti to a heap of ashes and burnt Sunakṣatra to death one by one by releasing his fiery energy on their bodies. Lord Mahavira again abused
1 Bhs, 15, 1, 550.
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2 BhS, 15, 1, 552,
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