Gautam The Ambrosia Man Diwakar Chitrakatha 032

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gautam the Ambrosia Man Diwakar Chitrakatha 032":

This book, "Gautam the Ambrosia Man," published by Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai, is part of the "Diwakar Chitrakatha" series and focuses on the life and significance of Ganadhar Indrabhuti Gautam, a principal disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir in the Jain tradition. He is presented as a figure of immense importance, comparable to Ganesh in Vedic tradition, revered as an eliminator of hurdles and a bestower of wisdom. Devotees chant his name for auspiciousness and believe his name brings everlasting fortune, referring to his "ambrosia in his thumb."

Early Life and Education: Gautam was born in 607 BCE in Gobbar village near Rajagriha and Nalanda into a prosperous Brahmin family. He was the eldest of three scholarly brothers. Initially, he was a renowned scholar of the Vedas and Vedangas. After twelve years of rigorous study at a Gurukul, he and his brothers became famous scholars, heading their own large institutes with 500 students each.

Encounter with Bhagavan Mahavir: The narrative then shifts to a grand Yajna (fire sacrifice) organized by a rich Brahmin named Somil, where Indrabhuti and other renowned scholars participated. During the Yajna, divine activities in the sky and celestial vehicles heading elsewhere caused confusion. A pundit explained that these were related to a religious congregation addressed by Bhagavan Mahavir in Mahasen garden. When informed that Mahavir was attracting gods and prominent people, Indrabhuti, fueled by pride and conceit, vowed to defeat Mahavir and reclaim the attention.

The Transformation and Discipleship: As Indrabhuti approached Bhagavan Mahavir's Samavasaran (divine pavilion), he was struck by its grandeur and Mahavir's magnetic presence. Mahavir, knowing Indrabhuti's innermost doubt about the soul and body, addressed him directly. This direct knowledge of his internal query, coupled with Mahavir's profound explanation that the soul is the entity of doubt and knowledge, shattered Indrabhuti's pride. He realized the truth, shed his conceit, and humbly requested initiation. Mahavir recognized his sincerity and humility, and Indrabhuti became an ascetic and the first Ganadhar of Bhagavan Mahavir's order. His two brothers and eight other great scholars present also had their doubts cleared by Mahavir and joined the order, forming the eleven Ganadhars. The day of their initiation marks the establishment of the religious order.

Life as a Ganadhar: The book then details Gautam's post-initiation life, highlighting his rigorous ascetic practices, including studying, meditating, fasting, and collecting alms with utmost devotion. He humbly sought clarification from Bhagavan Mahavir on his queries, and his questions form the basis for many of the Jain scriptures (Agams).

Key Incidents from Gautam's Life: Several illustrative incidents from Gautam's life are presented:

• Anand Shravak's Avadhi-gnana: Gautam doubted Anand Shravak's claim of extrasensory perception (Avadhi-gnana) due to his own understanding of asceticism. Bhagavan Mahavir clarified that Gautam was mistaken and encouraged him to seek Anand's pardon, showcasing Gautam's willingness to admit and rectify his mistakes.
• Prince Atimuktak: Gautam's encounter with Prince Atimuktak, who was drawn to his purity, led the prince to Bhagavan Mahavir and his subsequent initiation as an ascetic.
• Cruelty to Oxen: Bhagavan Mahavir instructed Gautam to enlighten a farmer who was cruelly whipping his oxen. Gautam's compassionate approach not only changed the farmer's heart but also led to the farmer's discipleship. However, the farmer, upon seeing Bhagavan Mahavir, fled due to past-life animosity. Bhagavan explained this phenomenon, linking it to the cycles of birth and the impact of past actions and emotions.
• Past Life Connection: Bhagavan Mahavir revealed to Gautam that their bond stemmed from past lives. He explained that Gautam's affection was a continuation of his role as a chariot driver to Tripushta Vasudev (who was Bhagavan Mahavir in a past life), who had shown kindness to a lion (which later became the serpent god that tried to harm Mahavir). This explained the farmer's reaction and Gautam's disciplehood.
• Gautam's Attachment and Marichi: Bhagavan Mahavir further illustrated the deep bonds of past lives by recounting the story of Marichi (Bhagavan Mahavir's former self) and Kapil (Gautam's former self). Marichi, despite becoming an ascetic, retained his attachment, and Kapil remained devoted to him. This explains Gautam's enduring affection for Bhagavan Mahavir.
• Scholarly Exchange with Keshikumar: Gautam engaged in an intellectual discussion with Arya Keshikumar Shraman, a disciple of Bhagavan Parshvanath, clarifying differences in ascetic practices and attire. This exchange ultimately led Keshikumar and his disciples to join Bhagavan Mahavir's order.
• Pilgrimage to Ashtapad: Inspired by a god's statement about liberation through pilgrimage to Ashtapad, Gautam undertook the journey. He encountered hermits who were impressed by his powers and dedication. At Ashtapad, he meditated and delivered a sermon to gods. He clarified a god's doubt about the signs of asceticism and initiated the hermits.
• The Miracle of the Kheer: While breaking their fast after the Ashtapad pilgrimage, Gautam miraculously served kheer from a small bowl to 1503 ascetics, demonstrating his "Aksheen Mahanas" (inexhaustible food) power, which is linked to the "ambrosia in his thumb." Some ascetics attained omniscience upon seeing the Samavasaran.
• Gautam's Attainment of Omniscience: Despite his achievements, Gautam felt burdened by his attachment to Bhagavan Mahavir's physical form, which he believed was hindering his own omniscience. Bhagavan Mahavir assured him that they would both attain the formless state, comparing it to a lotus remaining untouched by water.
• Final Moments and Liberation: During Bhagavan Mahavir's final discourse and subsequent liberation (Moksha), Gautam was away on a mission. Upon hearing the news, he was overcome with grief, lamenting his absence. However, he then remembered Mahavir's counsel to shed attachment, which led him to detachment and the attainment of omniscience (Kewal-jnana) on the first day of Kartik Shukla. He then preached for 12 years before attaining Nirvana at the age of 92.

In essence, the book portrays Ganadhar Indrabhuti Gautam as a learned scholar who, through profound humility, intellectual inquiry, and unwavering devotion, transformed from a proud Brahmin to a pivotal spiritual figure in Jainism, embodying the path of righteousness, knowledge, and liberation. The narrative emphasizes the importance of shedding ego, embracing truth, and the transformative power of a guru's guidance.