Book Title: Tirthankar Mahavir
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaybhikkhu Sahitya Trust

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Page 117
________________ Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra www.kobatirth.org Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir violence and universal friendship and to bring harmony amongst various religions and philosophies." Indrabhuti was delighted to hear this. He said, "O venerable Mahavira, you are really omniscient. Kindly teach me wisdom." Mahavira explained how one could achieve self-welfare as well as universal welfare through the practice of universal love, compassion, selfcontrol and austerities. Mahavira's speech enlightened Indrabhuti. Indrabhuti's whole being and thought permeated with devotion for Mahavira. On the other side of the city of Apapa, Somila Brahmana and other eminent pundits were eagerly awaiting the return of a victorious Indrabhuti, who they were sure would have defeated Mahavira in public debate. However, they received the shocking news that Indrabhuti had surrendered himself to Mahavira and became his disciple. Distressed, Somila postponed his grand Vedic sacrifice and as a result the animals which had been brought for sacrificial offering, were set free. The citizens slowly departed from the sacrificial site. Indrabhuti Gautama's younger brother, Agnibhuti, set out determined to defeat Mahavira. Mahavira welcomed Agnibhuti with love. He dispelled Agnibhuti's doubt about past karma and Agnibhuti also became Mahavira's disciple. On hearing that both his elder brothers along with their one thousand pupils had renounced the world and assumed the ascetic life as disciples of Mahavira, the youngest brother Vayubhuti arrived hoping to defeat Mahavira. Mahavira clarified Vayubhuti's confusion about whether the soul and body were identical or different. Vayubhuti, too, became the disciple of Mahavira. Upon hearing the news about Vayubhuti, pundit Vyakta approached Mahavira. He had a doubt about the five physical elements and wanted to know whether earth, water, fire, air and ether were real or illusory. Mahavira removed his doubt too. Mahavira went on to dispel the doubts and confusions of the other pundits. He removed Sudharma's confusion about this world and the other world. He explained bondage and liberation to Mandika Brahmana. He cleared Mauryaputra's doubt about the existence of gods and Akampita's doubt about the existence of hells. He explained auspicious and inauspicious karmas to Achalabhrata. He clarified Metarya's confusion about other world 116 For Private And Personal Use Only

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