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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
But Gautama was very modest and straightforward. He was not proud of his knowledge or position. He was a lover of the Truth alone. Fe humbly accepted the decision of the venerable Mahavira. He went straight to Ananda and said, "O Ananda, you are right. You spoke the Truth but I contradicted you and thus violated the vow in this matter. I acknowledge my violation, atone for that, and seek your forgiveness. O Ananda, please forgive me."
Ananda was moved by Gautama's hum:lity and his eyes welled up with tears. He said, "O venerable sir, you are indeed great. The humility you have displayed is very rare in the world. You have completely conquered pride. Victory to Mahavira, victory to you. Today Mahavira and you have elevated the Jaina religion to a very lofty position. People will have nothing but praise for the Jaina ascetics who uphold the Truth. I am truly blessed that I have spiritual teachers like the venerable Mahavira and you."
Gautamswami
Alas, I am ruined !
After spending four months of rainy season in the city of Mithila, Mahavira arrived in the city of Shravasti. Mahavira and his former ascetic disciple Goshalaka found themselves in the same city after sixteen years. Goshalaka had previously been Mahavira's obedient pupil and ardent devotee. He would sing praises of Mahavira's glory even though it brought trouble, pain and agony to him. But he, then, became Mahavira's opponent and adversary. He proclaimed himself an arhan, a tirthankara and an omniscient one. He made his headquarters in Shravasti at the workshop of a porter woman called Halahala and wandered in the surroundings of Shravasti. Halahala and Ayampula, a householder in Shravasti, were staunch devotees of Goshalaka.
While Indrabhuti Gautama was collecting alms he heard people saying that there were two tirthankaras residing in Shravasti. Gautama asked Mahavira, "O venerable Mahavira, is Goshalaka really a tirthankara ?"
Mahavira replied, "O Gautama, Goshalaka is neither an omniscient one nor a tirthankara. Twenty four years ago, Goshalaka approached me and begged me to take him as a disciple. I granted his request. He became an ascetic under my leadership. We spent six years together. He followed me with devotion. He knew my supernatural power of prediction. He attained the powers by observeing austerities. But he became a slave to fame that he gained through the supernatural powers. He left me and lost self-control.
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