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84
Gautama Gaṇadhara was out of station. At the same time elsewhere Gautama attained the enlightenment (Kevalajñāna). The Nirvana of Mahavira was celebrated with great serenity in which the kings and the princes of 9 mallas, 9 licchavis and of 18 Kasi and Kosala kings and thousands of the lay followers participated.74 For over two thousand and five hundred years now the Jainas have been observing this day with serenity as the day of illumination. It is the Dipotsavaday. It is the Dipavali day. 75
At the time of Mahavira's nirvaṇa, the tirtha of the tirthankara was very large and organised. Kalpa-sutra 76 describes the enormous number of his followers in different orders. There were 14 thousand monks including the top-ranking 11 gapadharas, 36 thousand Sramaņis (nuns), there were one lakh and 59 thousand Sravakas (lay followers); 3 lakh and 18 thousand Sravikās (Women householders).
1. Sutrakṛtanga: 1, 12, 1 and 2
2.
Diga Nikaya: 2.
3.
REFERENCES:
Study of Jainism
Jain Education International
: Pre-Buddhist Indian Philosophy pp. 281.
4. a) Tiloyapanṇatti: 4, 549.
"Siddhattaraya piyakāriņi hi nayarammi kunḍala viro I Uttara phagguņirikkhe citta siya terasie uppanno" II
b) Nirvanabhakti :
"Caitra sita phalguņi sasankayoge dine trayodaśa I Jajne svoccasthesu graheśu soumyeśu śubhalagne" II
c) Jayadhavala: I, 76-77.
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