History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c11.s8.4

c11.s8.4

This story, like that of the sesamum shrub, may be a Jaina travesty of an authentic Ājīvika tradition, in this case of a psychic duel between Gosāla and another ascetic, Vesiyāyaṇa. In its present form it seems to be an attempt on the part of the author of the *Bhagavatī* at discrediting the Ājīvikas by attributing unworthy motives to Gosāla in his asceticism, and is of little importance.