________________
104
Ganadhara Mabārāja Indrabhūti Gaulama, a little suspicious about these words of Ananda Śrāvaka said, “O worthy man ' a house-holder does acquire Avadhi Jñāna, but its range of vision is not so wide, you should, therefore, make atonement and despise your sins."
Ananda Śrāvaka said “O Lord! Is there atoncment for correct explanation in the Jaina Sacred Scriptures ? Gañadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūtt Vautama replied “ No". Ananda Śrāvaka then respectfully said “If such is the case, you deserve to perform the atonement.”
With some doubt in his mind about these words of Ananda Śrāvaka, the illustrious Gaņadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama went to śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāyira, and bowing down low before him after duly observing penance for occasional sins incurred during gam#7 Gamanāgamana, Going and coming, he inarrated the whole account of the Avadhi Jñāpa of Ananda Śrāvaka and his conversation on the subject with him and asked him “ O Lord! Who should make atonement? I or Ananda Śrãvaka?
Śramaņa Bhagavān Māhāvira replied, “ You yourself make atonement, and ask pardon from Ānanda Śrāvaka.
Having accepted these words of śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra with great eagerness, Ganadhara Malārāja Indrabhūti Gautama immediately went to the place where Ananda Śrävaka lived, and asked his pardon, saying at the same time that his explanation (Ananda Śrāvaka's ) was correct.
In this connection, one must undoubtedly praise the extreme straight-forwardness and courteous obedience to the strict observance of the orders of śramaņa Bhagayān Mahāvīra on the part of Ganadhara Mahārāja Indrabhūti Gautama. The very fact that an illustrious man occupying the exalted position of a foret Ganadhara,-the chief discip'e of Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahavira-and possessing numerous Labdhis and extensive
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
