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64
ACĀRYA VIJAYAVALLABHASŰRI COMMEMORATION VOLUME
absence of any definite canonical evidence. The commentators rely on an old tradition (IFTERII, etc). It is difficult to find out he source of this tradition. But one thing is obvious. If we accept the list of names of Mahāvira's relatives as given in the Kalpasūtra and Ācārānga to be reliable, we should admit the accuracy of this tradition. This list bears testimony to the fact that Mahāvīra was married, he had a daughter and a grand-daughter (daughter's daughter) who was named Sesavati or Yaśovati. Thus there is nothing to contradict that Priyadarśanā was married to Jamāli. The absence of any allusion in respect of this notable event in the canon seems to be a merely accidental one. 4. The hearing of Lord's sermon
Jamāli was leading a life of ease and pleasure, when one day he heard a great commotion from his elevated palace. Curiosity arose in his mind. At once, he called his chamberlain (Kañcukin) and asked him to inquire into the matter. The chamberlain acquainted him with the actual state of the scene. The Venerable Omniscient Lord Mahāvīra was staying in Bahuśāla caitya of Brāhmana-kundagrāma. The people of different status and varying ages were rushing to that place to pay their respects to the Lord and hear his discourse.
Jamāli lost no time to make up his mind to visit the holy place. Having executed the formalities and preparations suitable for the occasion, Jamāli, accompanied by his friends and relatives, started towards the Bahuśāla caitya passing through the main roads of his town. Arriving at the spot, he solemnly circumambulated the Lord three times from the left to the right and bowing down saluted him.
He was profoundly impressed by the serenity and majesty of the Lord's appearance. He heard the discourse patiently and felt an intuition that there was a true solution of the knotty problem of life. The sermon moved him deeply. He realized that it was time for him to renounce the worldly life. After the dispersal of the congregation, Jamāli approached the venerable Lord and manifested to him his desire to become a monk in the following words :
'Revered Sir, I have verily the faith in the preachings of Nirgranthas
(outwardly and inwardly unfettered), I trust those preachings, I like them and am prepared to mould my life according to them, They are indeed so as you have explained them. They are true, correct and devoid of all doubts. I have only to take permission of
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