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Happy Diwali - Oshwal News
GAUTAMSWAMI
Indrabhuti, son of Vasubhuti and Prithvi Gautam who
were Brahmins was born in 607 B.C in the village of
Gobargaon. He had two younger brothers named
Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti, and all three were well versed
in the Vedas and other rituals from an early age. They
were great scholars and each had many disciples.
Once, in Madhyam Pava which was a prominent
centre for Vedic religion, Som Shrama, a
Brahmin had organised a great Yajna
(sacrificial ceremony). Eleven famous and
great scholars headed by Indrabhuti
Gautam and over 4400 disciples were
there to take part in the ritual
ceremonies. Som Shrama became
worried on hearing of the sudden arrival
of Bhagwan Mahavir in Madhyam Pava.
He conveyed his misgivings to
Indrabhuti, who assured him that
“Mahavir is no match for us as our
knowledge is far superior. We need not
worry. We should prepare ourselves to oppose
him”. Indrabhuti, with his five hundred
disciples left to challenge Mahavir.
From a distance, Indrabhuti saw the astonishing glow on
the face of Bhagwan Mahavir. His advancing steps lost
firmness and he started shaking with uncertainty.
“Indrabhuti Gautam ! You have arrived”
The deeply resonant words of Mahavir fell on
Indrabhuti’s ears the moment he entered the assembly,
and he was dumbstruck. “Indrabhuti Gautam, although
you are a great scholar of the Vedas, you are still doubtful
about the existence of the soul”. Mahavir’s words echoed
in the ears of Indrabhuti and he was stunned. “This is a
secret nobody knows. How is it that Mahavir knows
about it Is he really a Omniscient, he thought.
“Indrabhuti, your doubt about soul is based on your
knowledge of the Vedas. But the same Vedas contain
undeniable proofs of the independent existence of the
soul….” Mahavir explained everything in his penetratingly
sweet voice. Mahavir’s irrefutable logic removed all
Indrabhuti’s doubts and his ego melted.
Indrabhuti then became the first and chief
disciple of Mahavir. Indrabhuti was fifty
years old at the time, and from then he was
called Gautamswami, because he came
from Gautam family. The other 10
scholars and disciples also became
Mahavir disciples.
Gautamswami had great attachment and
affection for Mahavir and this proved to
be an obstacle in his attaining absolute
knowledge (Kevaljnan). On the day when
Mahavir was to attend nirvana, Mahavir
sent him to preach to a Brahmin in a nearby
village. On his return journey he learned that
Mahavir had attained nirvana and reached the
Moksha. He was grief sicken and went on lamenting and
started weeping. Then all of sudden he realised the folly
and futility of it - (“maybe this was destined to happen
this way. No one can live for ever; no relationship is
permanent. Why was I so attached to Mahavir”) - And at
that very moment he attained absolute knowledge. This
occasion is celebrated by Jains on New Years day.
Gautamswami taught and spread Jain principles for the
next 12 years and attained Moksha at age of ninety two.
MAHVIR SWAMI NIRVANA KALYANAK - RECITATION ON DIWALI DAY
Perform 20 malas mediating on each line on every bead (108 beads in one mala)
Before Midnight
‘Mahavir Swami Sarvagnaay Namah’
j j
From Midnight to 4.00AM
‘Mahavir Swami Paarangataay Namah’
From 4.00AM
‘Guatam Swami Sarvagnaay Namah’
What you desire for yourself, desire for others too;
What you do not desire for yourself, do not desire for others too.
……. This is the essence of Jain Dharma
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