Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 458

Sec. VI]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
Gośāla by using the same censuring terms for his unworthy cruel acts of killing two Śramanas. At this rebuke the Ajivika leader released his fiery energy on the body of the Master to kill him. But it got warded off by the superior spiritual power of Lord Mahavira and entered into the body of that very Gośāla, burning and burning it gradually. Being possessed of his own fiery energy, the Ajzvika leader again cursed the Master thus: "You Ayuşman Kasyapa, being occupied by my fiery energy (and) having the attack of bilious fever will die as Chadmastha at the end of six months."1
At this curse Lord Mahavira fretorted to Gośāla thus: "Not certainly I, Gośāla,......shall die at the end of six months, I shall pass time as Jina for another sixteen years, you, just yourself Gośāla......will die as Chadmastha at the end of seven nights."
It is stated that some of the followers of Gośāla went over to the side of the Master at this moment, having left their leader, while the others remained with him. After this spiritual defeat the Ajivika leader left the Kosthaka Caitya without achieving his purpose, having cast a fiery glance at Lord Mahāvīra.
Last part of his Life
Then Gośāla passed time in the premises of Halahala by chewing raw-mango-fruit, drinking liquor, singing and dancing again and again and making overtures (anjalikarma) to the potteress & sprinkling his body with cold clay water of the potter's pot in a state of mental disequilibrium. In such a condition of his, one day he was approached by Ayampula, an Ajivikopāsaka who came to have the explanation of the shape of Hall (an insect) from his teacher. He, being ashamed to find the Ajivika leader in such a state was slowly returning to his house with a
1 Bhs, 15, 1, 553.
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2 Ib, 15, 1, 553