Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 6

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 267

HERESY OF JAMĀLI, DEATH OF GOŚÁLA 227 coming here, he became a crow. Then he went to the first hell and, coming here, became a villainous man. Again he went to the first hell and became a donkey here for six births. Then he became a human and, after he died, became a man living in a forest. Then after death he became a cat and then went to hell. Rising up, he became a potter here and then a leper filled with worms. Devoured by worms for fifty years, he died and attained godhood from the involuntary destruction of karma. After falling, he became a king; and after death he went to the seventh hell. After wandering in this way in man-, animal-, and hell-(births), he became the miserable Gośāla. So from intentness on knowledge derived from memory of practices in former births, he became extremely hostile to Tirthakşts, dharma, and sādhus.”
When they had heard this speech of the Master, many people were enlightened and, afraid of existence, took initiation: and some became laymen.
Mahāvīra's illness (543-553)
Then the Master became weak from dysentery and bilious fever from Gośāla's hot flash, but he did not use a medicine. From the sight of such illness there was a rumor among the people,“ Vira will die in six months from Gośāla's hot flash.” Hearing that, Sinha, a devoted disciple of the Master, went to a secret place and wept aloud. Where is fortitude at such a speech? The Lord knew this from omniscience, summoned him, and said:
“Why do you grieve in your heart, afraid of popular rumor, sādhu? Tirthaksts never die from disease. Were not the attacks by Sangamaka and others useless ?”
Sinha said: “Blessed One, even if that is true, nevertheless, all the people grieve very much at your illness, Master. So, Master, take medicine to allay the grief of people like me. We are not able even for a moment to see the Master suffering."