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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsun Gyanmandir
enticed by temptations and no longer remained slaves to their senses. They were their own masters. They remained engaged in spiritual practice and deep meditation and experienced inner bliss.
Enmity and Non-attachment
The teacher-disciple relationship between Mahavira and Indrabhuti Gautama, which was the result of their past karmas, strengthened. Gautama had deep respect and devotion for Mahavira, and was always ready to render service to Mahavira. He would seek instant clarfication from Mahavira whenever any doubt arose in his mind, like an inquisitive child. The questions pertained to all branches of learning. They included topics related to three divisions of time, the three worlds, the four main classes of transmigratory existence and the four groups of post canonical texts. Gautama would address Mahavira as 'bhante' ('O Venerable One') and express his curiosity or doubt in the form of a question. And Mahavira would affectionately addressed him as 'Goyama' ('O Gautama') and answer his question. They travelled together from place to place expounding and propagating the spiritual truth.
Once, on the outskirts of a small village, they came across a pitiful sight. A farmer was tilling his field with a plough drawn by bullocks. The bullocks were completely exhausted and could not move. But the farmer, who had to till the whole farm at any cost, was beating them with a stick.
On seeing this, Mahavira's heart bled out of pity. He said to Gautama, "O Gautama, go and stop this cruelty. Explain to the farmer that he is harming his own self by inflicting pain on the bullocks. Show him the difference between good acts and bad acts so that he may stop beating the bullocks." Gautama approached the farmer who was surprised to see the glowing face of Gautama. Gautama's simple teaching deeply impressed him. He was convinced of the truth. He left tilling the field and sat at the feet of Gautama to listen to his teaching. Gautama explained the difference between good acts and bad acts. He showed him the path of spiritual welfare. He demonstrated the means by which man could attain inner peace and infinite bliss. The farmer was overjoyed to learn the highest truth expressed in the simplest language by Gautama. He accepted Gautama as his spiritual teacher and became a Jaina monk.
Gautama was glad that he could change the course of one man's hte towards the highest good.
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