Gautam Swami was the ''
Ganadhara'' (chief disciple) of
Mahavira, the 24th and last Jain
Tirthankara
In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a ' ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the '' dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable pass ...
of present half cycle of time.
He is also referred to as Indrabhuti Gautam, Guru Gautam, Gautam Swami Ganadhara and Gautam Swami.
Life
Gautama was the senior-most of 11 ''
ganadharas'' (chief disciples) of
Mahavira. He had two brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti who also became ''ganadhara'' of Mahavira. Other ''ganadhara'' were Vyakta,
Sudharmaswami, Mandikata Mauryaputra, Akampita, Acalabharata, Metarya and Prabhasa. A stone pillar of Utaroda mentions Mahagiri as one of Ganadharas of Mahavira who had Utara as his chief disciple.
In Jain traditional accounts, Gautama is believed to have gained ''
Kevala Jnana'' (omniscience) immediately after the ''
moksha
''Moksha'' (; sa, मोक्ष, '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'' and ''mukti'', is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. In its soteriologic ...
'' (liberation) of Mahavira. He was succeeded by Sudharmaswami who is believed to have gained omniscience after a further 12 years.
According to the elaboration of ''Debate with the Ganadhara'' by
Jinabhadra
Jinabhadra or Vachanacharya Jinabhadragani Kshamashramana was Jain ascetic author of Prakrit and Sanskrit texts.
Life
Jinabhadra (520-623 AD) was a Svetambara Jain monk during sixth-seventh century CE. Not much is known about his life but it s ...
, the learned Brahmin Gautama summoned the gods to a great sacrifice but instead they flew off to hear Mahavira preaching at his second
samavasarana
In Jainism, Samavasarana or Samosharana ("Refuge to All") is the divine preaching hall of the Tirthankara, stated to have more than 20,000 stairs in it. The word ''samavasarana'' is derived from two words, ''sama'', meaning general and ''avasar ...
near by. In fury, Gautama confronted Mahavira in debate, as did ten other brahmins in succession, with the fordmaker converting them all by a demonstration, underpinned by his claim to omniscience. According to Svetambara texts, Gautama had a meeting with Keśī (''ganadhara'' of Parshvanatha). ''Svetambaras'' write Gautama's name in new account books as a sign of auspiciousness in the new year.
Gautama is connected with prosperity as he fed some monks using his magical powers. Gautama is mentioned in the ''Exposition of Explanations'', as an interpreter of Mahavira. It is further mentioned that they have been friends in their previous incarnations and will attain ''moksha'' in the one which they are now.
See also
*
Gotama Samana
References
Citations
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ganadhar Gautama Swami
Indian Jain monks
6th-century BC Indian Jains
6th-century BC Jain monks
6th-century BC Indian monks
Jain acharyas
Ganadhara
6th-century BC Indian people
Brahmins