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54
Universal Message of Lord Mahāvīra
doubt about the existence of the soul. So, it is true, thought Indrabhūti, this being is a kevali, one who has complete knowledge about all things of all times. The universe has no secrets from such a being. All is known. All is transparent. Indrabhūti was completely humbled.
Equally humbled were ten other eminent Vedic scholars of that gathering who came forward to meet Mahāvīra, each of them with a different metaphysical doubt lingering in the mind. To each of them, Mahävīra first revealed the doubt without their stating the same and then put forward convincing replies. No further proof was required, nothing more was needed to establish Mahāvīra as a true teacher. Fully satisfied and happy, all of them along with their 400 disciples each, surrendered at the feet of the Master. Thus, 4411 initiations took place in a single day.
This is the meaning of Tirtharikara - one who establishes the Tīrtha or the religious order. Thus emerged the religious order of Mahāvīra - the Caturvidha Sangha - the four-fold congregation of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen.
Such a magnificent incident reached far and wide and thousands of men and women came to listen to the discourses of Mahāvīra wherever he went. It is said that not just humans, but animals and birds were also attracted to his discourses. Rich and poor, kings and their ministers, merchants, farmers, craftsmen and all classes of people were sanctified by his sermons. Many became his disciples and followers.
The Sargha evolved efficiently under the able administration of Mahāvīra. Indrabhūti became the first prime disciple of Mahāvīra. He, along with the ten Vedic scholars
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