Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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arrest; but they failed to do so because the fellow had already disappeared. When Srenika requested Mahavira to explain the significance of this mysterious episode, the latter observed,
"This leper was a god, and whatever he has observed is perfectly correct. He asked me to die because liberation lies ahead of me. He asked you to live because you are marked for hell hereafter. As for Abhayakumara, he is in human existence in this life (the most coveted even of the gods), and, besides, he is a pious man. When he goes out from here, he goes to heaven. So it is immaterial whether he lives or dies. This explains his comment about him, 'Live or die'. The great butcher, Kalasaurika, has a miserable life on this earth, and hereafter he goes to hell, which is equally bad. So he said to him, "Neither live nor die!".
Bhante! Does every person who worships thee get this sort of result"?
Said Mahavira,
'Oh King! It's not like that. But because of your excessive love for hunting, you have already tied a life in hell. But the outcome of worshipping me will be that, just as you see, I am the last of a group of 24 Tirthankaras, so, immediately on coming out of your infernal life, you will be the first of the next group of 24 Tirthankaras named Padmanabha in the new era "(28).
On hearing this great news, Srenika was immensely delighted and happy.
Srenika enquired if there was a way whereby he could escape life in hell. Said Mahavira,
"If you can make the Brahmana lady Kapila to give alms and the great butcher Kalasaurika to give up animal slaughter, then you may escape hell".
Srenika sent his request to both Kapilā and Kālasaurika, but it was entertained by none. When Kapila was forced to give alms, she said,