| Gautama Ganadhara | |
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 Sculpture of Gautama Ganadhara at an ancient Jain pilgrimage in Khambhat. | |
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Gautam Swami was the Ganadhara (chief disciple) of Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara of present half cycle of time.[1] He is also referred to as Indrabhuti Gautam, Guru Gautam, Gautam
Swami Ganadhara and Gautam Swami.
Life[edit | edit source]
Gautama was the senior-most of 11 ganadharas (chief disciples) of Mahavira.[2] He had two brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti who also became ganadhara of Mahavira.[3] Other ganadhara were Vyakta, Sudharma, Mandikata Mauryaputra, Akampita, Acalabharata, Metarya and Prabhasa.[3]
In Jain traditional accounts, Gautama is believed to have gained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) immediately after the moksha (liberation) of Mahavira.[4] He was succeeded by Sudharma who is believed to have gained omniscience after a further 12 years.[4]
According to the elaboration of Debate with the Ganadhara by Jinabhadra, the learned Brahmin Gautama summoned the gods to a great sacrifice but instead they flew off to hear Mahavira preaching at his second samavasarana near by.[5] In fury, Gautama confronted Mahavira in debate, as did ten other brahmins in succession, with the fordmaker converting them all by a demonstration, underpinned by his claim to omniscience.[5] According to Svetambara texts, Gautama had a meeting with Keśī (ganadhara of Parshvanatha).[6] Svetambaras write Gautama's name in new account books as a sign of auspiciousness in the new year.[7]
Gautama is connected with prosperity as he fed some monks using his magical powers.[7] Gautama is mentioned in the Exposition of Explanations, as an interpreter of Mahavira.[5] It is further mentioned that they have been friends in their previous incarnations and will attain moksha in the one which they are now.[5]
References[edit | edit source]
Citations[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Teerthankar mahaveer aur unki acharya parampara by Dr. Nemi chandra shastry, Sagar, 1974 vol-1-4.
- ↑ Natubhai Shah 2004, p. 38.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Natubhai Shah 2004, p. 32.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Natubhai Shah 2004, p. 39.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Dundas 2002, p. 37.
- ↑ von Glasenapp 1925, p. 35.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Dundas 2002, p. 39.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992], The Jains (Second ed.), Routledge, ISBN 0-415-26605-X
- Shah, Natubhai (2004) [First published in 1998], Jainism: The World of Conquerors, vol. I, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1938-2
- von Glasenapp, Helmuth (1925), Jainism: An Indian Religion of Salvation [Der Jainismus: Eine Indische Erlosungsreligion], Shridhar B. Shrotri (trans.), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass (Reprint: 1999), ISBN 978-81-208-1376-2
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