Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c14.s1.t3.2.3

c14.s1.t3.2.3

Gosāla now getting angry, began to abuse Mahāvīra and destroyed his two disciples by means of his magic power. Now Gosāla shot forth his magic power of destruction against Mahāvīra, and declared that he would die of bilious fever within six months. But Mahāvīra replied that he would yet live sixteen years longer, while on the contrary, Gosāla’s magic power would recoil on him and that he would perish of bilious fever within seven days. The rumour of this dispute spread through the town and there was much discussion among the people as to whose threat would prove true. Now Mahāvīra told his ascetics that they might go to Gosāla and worry him with questions and discussions. Gosāla returned to Hālāhalā’s shop, where in the delirium of fever, he gave himself up to drinking, singing, dancing, soliciting Hālāhalā and sprinkling himself with cool muddy water. On this Mahāvīra took occasion to explain his followers that the magic power discharged by Gosāla was powerful enough to cause the destruction of the people of the sixteen traditional janapadas. At this time a layman of the Ājīvika sect, happened to go to visit Mankhaliputta, but observing him in his delirious state he felt ashamed and wanted to retire quietly, but the theras about Mankhaliputta called him to stay. Later on feeling certain of his death Mankhaliputta instructed his theras to bury him after his death with every mark of honour and to proclaim publicly that with him the last Tīrthankara had passed away.