Study of Jainism

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 90

Tirthankara Vardhamana Mahavira
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Bimbasara (Sreņika) king of Magadha heard of the Samavasarana of Mahavira on the mount Vipuldcala. He went to the mount for darsana of the tirthankara and listened to the sermon, He was supremely happy and offered his prandmas to the prophet. On this day Candana, the daughter of king Cē taka of Vaisali, took the vow of pravraja and took to renunciation. She became the first Āryika (nun) and became the head of the Āryikā Sangha 88 (order). The first sermon was given on the early hours of the morning of the Ist day of dark half of the Srāvana month. (Srāvaņa krişņa pratipada). 84
In this way Bhagavan Mahavira went about the places preaching the religion of anekanta and ahissa for nearly thirty years. In his itinerary, he visited important places like Kasi, Kõsala, Vatsa, Campa, Pancala, Magadha, Rajagsha, Anga, Varga and Kalinga and other important places. Those who heard the teachings were enobled by the pure and perfect words of the prophet. The Jaina canonical works, like Trisaști, Bhagavati, Mahavira Cariyar, Harivaṁsa-purdņa, and a host of other works have given graphic description of the wanderings of Mahavira and the benefit that the people derived from his noble teachings.
Bhagavan Mahavira went to BrahmanaKunda after completing his 23rd Varşavasa (stay in the rainy season). Vanjyagava Jamali, with his disciples, was taying in that village. He came to Mahavira and said, 'Sir, if you permit me, I shall move to another place with 500 disciples'. Mahavira was silent. Thrice did Jamali ask this question and thrice was he silent 35 From Brahmaṇakunda he went to Vatsa desa, Kasi Rastra and then to Rajagsha. In this place there were the followers, of Parsva. They were practising Caturvåna. (four-fold vows). Indrabhuti Gautama arrived, during his wandering, to Rajagsha. He found that there were many followers of Poršva practising the four vows. He asked Mahavira the reason for the modification of the four vows to the five vows of Mahavira. Mahavira explained that it was necessary to expand the fourth vow of ciparigraha so as to include the practice of Brahmacarya. Brahmacarya became the fifth vow. He also explained the concept of Samyama (self-control) and the sta- of perfection is possible by the attainment of 'akriyapana (0011-activity) after the destruction of all forms of karma, 86