There, once lived a king named Jitshatru in the town of Vanijya. There also lived a rich householder named Anand in the same town. He was a millionaire. He was so rich that he had four millions of gold coins, an equal amount in cash, had invested an equal amount in trade, in ornaments, and other assets. He also owned 40,000 cows. He was highly respected by the king as well as the people of the town.
One day, Lord Mahavir visited this town and gave a sermon. Upon hearing the sermon of the Lord, Anand, at the age of 50 years, undertook to observe the twelve vows.
He observed them for fourteen years, and then, upon holding a dinner for family relations, invited his family to his room. He entrusted his property to his sons and expressed a desire to spend the rest of his life in penance. He also told them that no one should seek his advice in worldly affairs anymore. He thus stopped worldly activities for rest of his life.
One day, when Anand Shravak was meditating in Kayotsarga (meditation), a Dev from heaven, out of curiosity, decided to test Anand Shravak’s concentration. The Dev found Anand Shravak undaunted and was unable to shake his concentration. Because of his pure mental spiritual condition at that time, Anand Shravak attained Avadhignan (limited special knowledge).
Once, while collecting Gochari (food) Gandhar Gautamswami overheard people talking about Anand Shravak’s poor health and he had attained the Avadhignan, so Gautamswami decided to visit Anand Shravak. When Gautamswami arrived at Anand Shravak’s house, Anand Shravak offered his salutation laying in bed and told Gautamswami that he had attained Avadhignan extending up to the twelfth heaven. Gautamswami told Anand Shravak that such knowledge was not possible for any Shravak. Thus, he told Anand Shravak to ask for forgiveness for telling a lie. Anand Shravak asked Gautamswami, “Is it necessary to ask for forgiveness for telling the truth ?” Gautamswami said, “No.” Then Anand Shravak said that he believed that he is not required to ask for forgiveness.
Although Gautamswami could have found out the truth of the matter by applying his own special knowledge, since his Guru Lord Mahavir was there, he went to Lord Mahavir.
When Gautamswami told Lord Mahavir about the incident with Anand Shravak, Lord Mahavir advised Gautamswami that Anand Shravak was telling the truth and it should be Gautamswami who should be asking for forgiveness. Gautamswami realized his mistake and without any hesitation, he immediately went back to Anand Shravak and apologized for his mistake and requested for his forgiveness.
As Anand Shravak approached death, he fasted for a month until death and was born as a Dev in the Saudharma heaven. After the completion of that life, he will be reborn in Mahavideh (another planet) and get liberation.
The essence of human life is to practice at least one or all twelve vows in daily life and thus make our life sublime. This story also tells us how humble Shravak should be in correcting the mistakes of their teachers. It also shows how simple, humble and a true follower of Lord Mahavir, Gautamswami was that once Lord Mahavir pointed out his mistake, he went to Anand Shravak without any arguments or thinking that he being the first deciple (Gandhar) of Lord Mahavir why should he ask for forgiveness. It also shows that how great was the teacher, Lord Mahavir that even though it was the mistake of his first deciple, he did not cover it up but on the contrary he took the side of truth and explained Gautamswami his mistake.
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