History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c11.s9.35

c11.s9.35

We have no reliable information about the circumstances of this discussion. Adda, the Jaina protagonist, is said in the niryukti to the passage to have been the son of one Adda, of Addapura ²—a statement which adds nothing to our knowledge, but rather casts doubt on the reliability of the account. If the story has any historical significance it is to suggest that the relations of Gosāla and Mahāvīra worsened with the passage of time. Details of the account of the incident of Saddālaputta suggest that it took place soon after Mahāvīra's "enlightenment", when he was not so widely known as he later became. Gosāla's debate with Adda, on the other hand, presupposes a strong Jaina community, defending itself against all comers.