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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Sakadalaputra
Sakadalāputra was one of the ten prominent śravakas of Bhagawan Mahavira. He was in the beginning a follower of the Ajivaka sect and later on became a worshipper of Mahāvīra. The entire account of this fact is found in Upasakad a Sutra. It is also an authentic account to understand the faith of Gosalaka.
There lived in Polā sapura, a potter named Saka dalaputra. He possessed three crore gold coins and ten thousand cows. His wife's name was Agnimitrā. He had a vast industry for manufacture of pots etc. He was a follower of Go śálaka who was the leader of the Ājivaka sect. One day in Asoka Vatika he was fasting in the Ajivaka way. A deva appeared before him and said: "Beloved of Gods, Maha - mahana is to come here tomorrow. He is Jina and worshipped by all the three lokas (worlds). Salute Him and serve Him."
Sakadalaputra started thinking: "Only my Dharmacarya, Gosalaka, son of Mankhali, is Mahar worthy of being worshipped by all the three lokas. He must be coming here tomorrow. I will serve Him."
Next day Bhagawan Mahāvira arrived there with a group of Sramanas. Thousands of persons gathered to have His dar sana and to listen to His discourse. Sa ka dala putra became curious and inquisitive. He too went to pay his respects to Lord Mahā vīra. Bhagawan Mahā vira told him: "The information given to you by some Deva yesterday about the visit of a Mahamahana' did not refer to Gośālaka." Sakadalaputra was deeply impressed with the unravelling of this mystery and he invited Bhagawan Mahā vira to stay in his shops. Bhagawan started living there. Saka - dalaputra was a confirmed fatalist. One day when earthen - ware were being dried, Bhagawan Mahavira told Sakadálaputra: "Beloved of the gods, have all these pots been prepared without any effort ?"
Sakadalaputra: "These have not been produced by action. Whatever is ordained takes place".
Bhagawān: "If someone breaks the pots, or has inti - macy with Agnimitra, what will you do?"