Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 504

Sec. I] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SOTRA 479 The Master at Brāhmaṇakundagrāma
During his visit to this place Lord Mahāvira stayed at the Bahuáalaka Caitya. It is here he delivered his sermons on different topics in the great assembly of his followers like Gautama Indrabhūti, Aryā Candanā and others and initiated Rşabhadatta. and Devānandā,' and Jamālī, together with his five hundred followers, to asceticism on their express desire to undertake the state of houselessness. The Master handed over Devānandā to the charge of the nun, Arya Candanā, to teach and guide her in learning the prescribed religious texts, practising austerities and meditation, and thus attaining Śramaņa hood and final liberation.
It is stated that one day Jamālī, being followed by his five hundred fellow-nonks left the Bahuśālaka Caitya for Srāvastī without the permission of his religious teacher and passed time there in the Kosthaka Caitya by practising austerities and meditation, Lord Mahāvīra also left this Caitya for Campā where he passed time in the Pūrņubhadra Caitya.
It is here the Master explained to Jamālī the questions put to him by Indrabhūti to silence his pride whether the Universe was eternal or non-eternal or whether soul was eternal or noneternal, out of pity, when the prince-ascetic failed to answer to them but declared himself as Kevalin (omniscient) in their presence after his arrival at this Caitya from Srāvasti.
But Jamālī left his teacher for the second and last time without believing in his doctrinal interpretations of these problems.“
Lord Mahāvīra appeared twice more in Campā and stayed at the Purnabhadra Caitya. Here he explained the questions of Gautama Indrabhūti on the astronomical and cosmological subjects.
On the last occasion the Master came to this place from the Gunašīlaka Caitya of Rājagtha and after a short while he left
Bh8, 9, 33, 380 ; 382. 8.4 16, 9, 33, 386.
· 16, 9, 33, 383-385. 6 16, 5, 1, 176,