________________
381
Gautama - "Why, for falsehood, i am sure"!
Ananda - "Then, sir, I think, it is you who have to make atonement yourself, as you have indulged in a falsehood".
These firm words of Ananda gave a severe jerk to Gautama. Starting from there, he came straight to Bhagavan Mahāvira and narrated the whole conversation to him, whereon Bhagavan Mahāvira said,
"Gautama ! You have been wrong. You go to Ananda at once, and beg to be forgiven by him".
So Gautama came back to Ananda and said,
"Ananda ! I have it from Bhagavān Mahāvira that what you have said is correct. Please forgive me for starting a futile controversy".
Householder Ananda lived the life of a devoted follower for full 20 years. After his death, he was born in a vimāna named Aruņābha in Saudhar makalpa(12).
Sulasa
At Rājagrha, there lived a charioteer named Nāga. Sulasa was the name of his wife. Both Naga and Sulasa were the followers of the nirgrantha path. Being very devoted followers, they were known as dydha-dhar mi (firm-in-faith) or priya-dhar mi (in-love-with-faith). Their equanimity was pure and firm, and they sincerely fulfilled the vows of a lay follower. Sulasā was, however, more devoted of the two. They happily lived on performing spiritual exercises.
One day, Näga saw some boys who were at play in the courtyard of a merchant. These boys were tender, play. ful and lovely. The courtyard looked gay as they played. The scene created a delightful impression on the mind of Naga. Since that day, Naga often felt in his mind that a home without playful children in it was absolutely useless. But this was something beyond human control, and man was no free agent to fill his home with children, Naga was
