History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c14.s6.2

c14.s6.2

It will be remembered that, when in his last delirium, Gosāla was visited at night by the lay disciple Ayampula, with a question on the size of the hallā.¹ The teacher, in reply to Ayampula’s question, is reported to have given the inconsequential answer: “Play the vīṇā, old fellow! Play the vīṇā, old fellow!” Most of the actions and words of Gosāla in his last delirium seem to have been inserted in the story in order to provide alleged origins for later Ājīvika practices and doctrines, and the strange phrases of the teacher may indicate that the Ājīvika community was given to the singing of religious songs and to the use of music for religious purposes.