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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA [Ch. VIII
abundant food and drink according to the prevailing social customs. As a result of these acts of honour and entertainment offered by them to the Master the same miraculous incidents as happened in the case of Vijaya took place in their respective houses also.
On the second and third occasions also Gośāla Mankhaliputra made the same request to Lord Mahavira to accept him as his disciple, but it was turned down by the Master in silence without paying any regard to it.
On the day of the conclusion of his fourth one month's fast Lord Mahāvīra, being prayed by Gośāla again at Kollāga Sannivesa accepted him as his disciple and practised the austerity of 'Anityajagarana' (thinking on non-enternality) for six years in the market-place of that town (Paniyabhumi) by experiencing gain and loss, happiness and sorrow, honour and dishonour.1
In the next scene the BhS throws a side light upon the doctrinal difference between Gośāla Mankhaliputra and Lord Mahavira on the problem of the reanimation of a Tilastambhaka (Sesamum Indicum plant).
One day in the first part of Autumn, while going along with Gośala Mańkhaliputra to Kurmagrama from Siddharthagrama the Master explained the question raised by the former on the sight of a sesamum plant, standing at a place by the side of their way, whether it would grow or not and where would its seven seeds (Tilapuspajivas) be born after its death. Mahavīra said that the plant would not get destroyed, it would certainly grow and its seven seeds would be born in one capsule of the plant still again.
Gosala Mankhaliputra did not believe in this explanation of Lord Mahāvīra, and so he, slowly falling back, pulled it out by
See also the Kalpa Sutra for 'Paniyabhumi and its identi. fication. It is doubtful whether Lord Mahavira stayed in one place for six years as ascetic, it may be that he passed six rainy seasons.
Bhs, 15, 1, 541.
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