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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
The Flames of fire discharged by Goshalik critering his own mouth
Lord Mahavira advised and instructed his disciples : "If Goshalaka comes here, you should not say anything against him." Goshalaka finally approached Mahavira, attended as usual by a band of followers. He was very angry and rudely cursed Mahavira. Mahavira's two ascetic disciples Sarvanubhuti and Sunakshatra tried to pacify Goshalaka. But Goshalaka turned his anger upon them and immediately reduced them to a heap of ashes with his supernatural power.
Lord Mahavira asked his disciples to stay away and came forward and tried to pacify Goshalaka. But Goshalaka was mad with rage. He stared at the blazing sun, collected the radiant heat of the sun in his eyes, stepped back and sent a ring of fire from his eyes towards Mahavira. But Goshalaka's yogic power had no impact on Mahavira. Instead, the ring of fire circumambulated Mahavira and then made its way towards Goshalaka and penetrated his body. Goshalaka's handsome body became black and ugly.
Mahavira stood calm and composed, full of compassion for Goshalaka. He bore nc ill-will towards him.
Goshalaka's whole body was turning with fire and he was writing in pain.He cried, "Alas, I am ruined !"
On the seventh night before his death, Goshalaka gained enlightenment. Attachment and aversion that acted as impediments in gaining spiritually right attitude were destroyed, as were his spiritually unwholesome and perverse inclination. As a result, ne come to possess spiritually right attitude. He realised and repented for his evil conduct. He told his disciples that he was no tirthankara, but a fraud, a killer of ascetics, a betrayer of his teacher, and dying from the effects of his own yogic powers that had rebounded on him. He recognised Mahavira as the true tirthankara
Goshalaka was full of remorse and repentance. He gave instructions for his funeral to his disciples. They were to tie a rope to his left foot, to spit thrice into his face, and to drag his body round the streets of Shravasti, proclaiming that he was not a tirthankara but a cheat and a killer, and that Mahavira was the only true tirthankara. The disciples according conducted the funeral on Goshalaka's death.
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