Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 498

Sec. I] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
473 It was here in the corner of the same workshop that Gośāla Mankhaliputra took residence to pass the rainy season without getting any shelter elsewhere at outer Nalanda.
On the conclusion of his first one month's fast, Lord Mahā. vīra was greatly welcomed, honoured and worshipped by Vijaya, a householder of Rajagrha according to the prevailing customs and was entertained by him with abundant food, drink and other presents, when the Master approached the latter's house for begging alms.
As a result of this act of honouring and entertaining such a saint like Lord Mahāvīra, five kinds of celestial things appeared in the house of Vijaya, revealing the supernatural power of the Master viz. rains of streams of wealth (Vasudhārāvutthā), droppings of five-coloured flowers (dasaddhavanne kusume nivāie), tossing up of garmments by the gods (oelukkhevkae), beating (playing) of divine drum (āhayāo devadundubhio), in the sky the sound “Aho dāne (ob gift), aho dāne (oh gift)” was proclaimed by the gods.
Having heard of this incident in the presence of many people of that locality Gośāla Mankhaliputra also went out of that weaver's workshop to see the miraculous things and found them true in accordance with the story spread among the people. It is said that he entreated Lord Mahāvīra to accept him as his disciple, after worshipping and saluting him. But the Master remained silent and returned to that weaver's workshop without regarding and recognizing the request of the former.
Similarly Lord Mahāvīra observed the vows of the second, third and fourth as one month's fast in succession, while staying in that workshop during the rainy season. On the conclusion of these fasts he went out on begging tours to the houses of Ananda and Sudarśana of Rājagrha and to that of Bahula of Kollāga Sanniveía lying at a near distance of outer Nālanda respectively.
Everewhere he was accorded welcome, worshipped, honoured and entertained by these individual householders with
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