Page Text
________________
"Gosāla ka had some knowledge of the eight branches of Nimitta and could, therefore, give truthful answers to everybody about gain and loss, happiness and misery, and life and death. On the strength of this knowledge of Nimitta alone, he began proclaiming himself Jina (who has suppressed enemies in the form of attachment and a version, Tirthankara, Arahanta), without being one, Kevali without being Kevali (knower of Kevala knowledge, the liberated), and Sarvajna (Omniscient) without being such. He used to say: 'I am ) ina. Kevali and Sarvajna'. As a result of such announcement, he became the topic of constant discussion on three-road junctions, cross-roads and the royal highways of Sravasti.
"One day Bhagawan Mahavira visited Srāvasti. People assembled for His religious discourse. The meeting ended. The eminent disciple of Mahavira, Indrabhūti Anagara of the clan of Gautama, went to the city for alms. On the way he heard from many persons about the proclamation of Gośāla ka. He came to Lord Mahāvira, asked Him about it and requested Him to relate the story of Gośāla ka from beginning to end.
Early Life of Gośālaka
"Said Mahavira: "Gautama, the claim of Gośála ka is false. He is neither Jina, nor Kevali, nor Sarvajna. His father was Mankhali of Mankha caste. Mankhali's wife was Bhadrā who was gentle and beautiful. Once she was with child. A brahmin by the name of Gobahula lived in the village Sarvana. He was rich and also knew well the brahmana sa stras like Rigveda. He had a Gośāla (cowhouse).
"Once, Mankhali, accompanied by Bhadrā, who was pregnant, came to Saravana after roaming about from village to village. He carried with him a chitrapata (cloth or board with portraits painted on it). He kept his belongings in the Gosala of Gobahula and went into the village for alms. He searched for a place where he could find shelter, but without success. Therefore, he decided to spend the Chaturmasa (four months of the rainy season) in a portion of the Gosala. At the end of nine months and seven and a half days, Mankhali's wife, Bhadrā, gave birth to a lovely and
| SR No. | 022804 |
| Book Title | Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study |
| 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 |