History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c12.s5.7

c12.s5.7

Hoernle interprets the *Bhagavatī* story as follows: “The taunts of his rivals and the consequent distrust of the townspeople made Gosāla’s position at Sāvatthi untenable. It preyed on his mind so much that it became utterly unhinged and throwing aside all ascetic restraint he gave himself up to drinking . . . Six months of this riotous living brought on his end.”² The period of six months, which Hoernle gives for the last phase of Gosāla’s life, seems to be based on the duration of the final penance which he is said to have ordained shortly before his death.³ Yet the *Sūtra* states categorically that his death occurred on the seventh night from the magic duel. Barua⁴ has noted the discrepancy, and does not accept the Jaina story, but believes that Gosāla died voluntarily at the end of a penance of six months’ duration.