History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c12.s2.13

c12.s2.13

Now Mahāvīra permitted his disciples to approach Gosāla and dispute with him. Already the latter began to feel the effects of the magic power, and his complexion changed its hue. Many of his disciples left him, and went over to Mahāvīra's faction, but a few remained faithful to their old master. Staring about him, tearing his beard, and stamping the ground, Gosāla cried “Alas, I am ruined!”¹ and returned to the potter-woman's workshop.