Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 500

Sec. I]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATÍ SŪTRA
475
poules.
the roots and threw it in a corner of the field at the same moment. Immediately there appeared a shower of rain by which it was again revived to life and those seven seeds were reborn as seven tilas (sesames) in one of its capsules.
Next, is presented an account of the superior spiritual power of the Master, as it is revealed in its application by him to save the life of Gośāla from the effect of the fiery energy (tejoleśyā), released by Vaiśyāyana, a Balatapasvin of Kūrmagrāma, on Gośāla for the act of his insulting behaviour towards that ascetic. Vaišyāyana, being inflamed with the fire of wrath at the provocative and mocking questions of Gośāla in the midst of his meditation climbed down from his meditating place, expanded and released his physical fiery energy on the latter to kill him. But his life was saved by Lord Mahāvīra by warding off the fiery energy of that ascetic with his own cold spiritual energy.
The Master narrated the whole fact to Gośāla on his asking to know the reason of the painful utterance of that ascetic, “This is gone, O Lord, this is gone” (se gayameyam Bhagavaṁ se gayameyam Bhagavam), as he knew his hot fiery energy checked, warded off and ineffective and withdrew it, having found no trouble or injury or dismemberment of the body of his insulter.
So, Lord Mahāvira, being requested by Gośāla to teach him the process of acquiring the faculty of condensed abundant fiery energy (samkşipta vipula tejoleśyā) revealed and explained its secrecy thus: "He who passes time by taking sanakha kulmāsa pindika (smallest quantity of bean or rice gruel), and vikatāšana (viyadāsae i.e. fermented food), observing the vow of sasthasastha (two consecutive days' fast) and practising continuous acts of austerities, raising his arms high, facing the sun, heating his body with the sunshine in the meditating place (ātā panab hūmi), becomes endowed with the faculty of Sanksipta vipula tejolesya' at the end of six months.''
• 16 15, 1, 543.
i BhS, 15, 1, 543. 3 16, 15, 1, 543.