Acharya Kundkunda Ek Parichay - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Acharya Kundkund Ek Parichay" by Bhanvarlal Polyaka, based on the provided pages:

This book, "Acharya Kundkund Ek Parichay" (An Introduction to Acharya Kundkund), published by Jain Vidyasansthan Rajasthan as part of the Sarvodaya Pustakmala series, is a humble attempt to introduce the life, contributions, and significance of the revered Jain Acharya Kundkund to the general public. The publication coincides with the bicentennial celebrations of Acharya Kundkund, aiming to inspire readers with his personality and achievements.

Significance of Acharya Kundkund:

Pillar of Digambar Jain Tradition: Acharya Kundkund is considered a foremost Acharya in the Digambar Jain tradition. Every Digambar Jain householder, scholar, and ascetic feels pride in identifying themselves as a follower of Kundkund ("Kundkundānvayi").
Preserver of Mahavir's Teachings: He is credited with weaving, clarifying, and preserving the original path taught by Lord Mahavir in his scriptures.
Spiritual Authority: Acharya Kundkund is seen as a guiding light for spiritual seekers, and his works are foundational to the understanding of Jain philosophy.
Revered Figure: The inclusion of his name in the auspicious chant "Mangalam Bhagwan Veero, Mangalam Gautamo Gani, Mangalam Kundkundāryo, Jaindharmo'stu Mangalam" (Auspicious is Lord Vir, Auspicious is Gautama Gani, Auspicious is Kundkundārya, may Jain Dharma be auspicious) highlights his immense importance and veneration. This chant is recited at the beginning of significant tasks and events, signifying the respect accorded to him alongside Lord Mahavir and Gautama Gani.

Reasons for his Reverence:

Connection to Mahavir's Lineage: The text explains that individuals are remembered and invoked during auspicious or difficult times based on their benefit, closeness, or the affection they inspire. Lord Mahavir is remembered as he is the present-day guide through whose teachings (Dwadasanga Vani) spiritual welfare is attained.
Gautama Gani's Role: Gautama Gani, as the chief Ganadhara of Lord Mahavir, compiled and organized his teachings into twelve Angas. This crucial role in preserving the divine word makes him highly significant.
Kundkund's Role in Preservation: The book emphasizes that while Tirthankaras preach eternal truths, they adapt their teachings to the specific time, place, and intellectual capacity of the people. After Lord Mahavir's Nirvana, for 683 years, the knowledge of the Angas was transmitted orally. Acharya Bhadrabahu was the last Shruta Kēvali. During a severe famine in North India, many ascetics became lax, leading to the division of the Jain Sangha into Digambar and Shvetambar traditions. Over time, the memory of the eleven Angas began to fade, and knowledge of only certain parts of the 'Drishtivada' (the twelfth Anga) remained. Acharya Kundkund acquired knowledge of a portion of the 'Purvagata' (the fourth part of Drishtivada) through his lineage. His contributions are primarily in 'Dravyānu yoga' (Metaphysics) and 'Charaṇānu yoga' (Conduct/Ethics).
Foundation of Modern Jain Literature: The text asserts that for the current Digambar tradition, the literature related to Dravyānu yoga and Charāṇānu yoga has its fundamental source in the works of Acharya Kundkund. He is considered the highest authority among all ascetics in Mahavir's tradition, unparalleled in his scholarship and talent. His life was dedicated to spiritual pursuit, meditation, and austerity.
Guardian of the Digambar Tradition: Acharya Kundkund's writings, like the Shatkhandagama, are directly linked to Lord Mahavir's divine speech. While the authors of Shatkhandagama (Pushpadanta-Bhutabali) are equally important, Kundkund's emphasis on Dravyānu yoga and Charāṇānu yoga makes his contribution especially vital for individual spiritual upliftment. He is positioned after Gautama Gani in the Digambar tradition, making him revered and worthy of salutation. The book argues that Kundkund was a purifier of the Dwadasanga Shruta, while Gautama Gani was its preserver. The absence of Kundkund's writings would have meant that the spiritual and ethical essence of Mahavir's teachings, upon which the Digambar tradition still relies, would have been lost, and the tradition itself might not have survived.

Life and Biographical Details:

Humble Origins: According to the 'ĀrādhanāKathākoṣa' and 'Puṇyāśravakathākoṣa', Kundkund was born to Karamandu, a merchant from Kurumarai village in the Pindithanadu region, and his wife Srimati. In a past life, he was a cowherd who cared for some Agama scriptures found in a box and later gifted them to a Digambar monk. This act of devotion and knowledge donation resulted in his rebirth as the son of the wealthy merchant, from whom he eventually took diksha and became known as Acharya Kundkund.
Dating: While there were differing opinions among scholars, Dr. A. N. Upadhye has established his period as the latter half of the 1st century BCE to the first half of the 1st century CE, a view supported by historical evidence.
Lifespan and Names: Based on a manuscript of the 'Pattavali' of the MulSangh Nandyāmnāya Balakar Gachchha Sarasvatīgachchha Kundkundānvaya, his worldly life lasted 11 years, diksha 33 years, and his lifespan after diksha was 51 years, 10 months, and 10 days. He had a total lifespan of 65 years, 10 months, and 15 days. He was also known by other names: Shri Padmanandi, Shri Vakragreeva, Gridhpiccha, and Shri Ilacharya (Elacharya).
- Gridhpiccha: This name is attributed to him wearing peacock feathers (pichchhika) made of vulture (gridh) feathers after his own was lost while going to Samavasarana of Simandhar Swami. However, this name was less prominent as Acharya Umāsvāti also used it.
- Ilacharya (Elacharya): This name arose because his body was small, like the cardamom (ila) grown in the Videh region, when he attended the Samavasarana of Simandhar Swami. The listeners asked Simandhar Swami about this small-bodied person, and upon his introduction, the name became known.
- Vakragreeva: Two legends explain this name: either his neck became stiff and bent from constantly looking up to hear the high Samavasarana of Simandhar Swami, or it was due to his constant focus on scriptural writing and reading, causing his neck to bend over time. It is said he later straightened his neck through yogic power. Regardless, it signifies his dedication to knowledge, meditation, and austerity.
Condemnation of Deviations: Acharya Kundkund arrived when the Jain Sangha was divided. He strongly condemned the laxity and deviations from the path, considering those who were lax, as well as those who bowed to and respected them, as unfit for spiritual knowledge. He emphasizes in 'Darshan Pahud' that those who have strayed from right faith and seek salutations from those who uphold it will suffer in the afterlife and find liberation difficult. He also states that those who, out of shame, honor, or fear, bow to the faithless, and approve of their sins, will also not attain liberation.
Radical Teachings: His declaration that both 'punya' (merit) and 'paap' (demerit) are like "golden chains" and "iron chains" respectively, equating them as obstacles to liberation, was a revolutionary proclamation in the spiritual world and a unique contribution of Jain philosophy.

Notable Works:

The book lists several of Acharya Kundkund's significant works:

Panchastikaya Sangraha: Describes the five astikayas (soul, matter, dharma, adharma, and ether).
Pravachanasara: Summarizes the teachings of the best/supreme beings.
Samaysara: Discusses the nine tattvas (realities) from the perspective of pure standpoint (shuddha naya), expounding the pure self.
Niyamasara: Explains the nature of Ratnatraya (three jewels), six dravyas (substances), nine tattvas, and Panchastikaya.
Barasamanavekkha: A poignant and detachment-inspiring description of the twelve bhavanas (contemplations) in 61 verses.
Pahud (Prabhuta): It is said he composed 84 Pahuds. Currently, only eight are available, published as "Attapahud" (Ashtaprabhrit): Darshan, Charitra, Sutra, Bodh, Bhava, Moksha, Linga, and Shila. These works refute laxity, lack of discernment, and blind faith.
Bhaktis: Eight devotional hymns (Siddha, Shruta, Charitra, Yoga, Acharya, Nirvāṇa, Panchaguru, and Tirthankar Bhakti), praising and saluting the respective entities by describing their virtues.
Ratnasara: Some scholars attribute this work to Kundkund, while others do not.

Conclusion:

Acharya Kundkund was an Acharya of unparalleled talent with an original writing style. He was a great luminary who nurtured, protected, propagated, and spread the Digambar tradition, whose contribution can never be forgotten. The book concludes by acknowledging that his bicentennial is being celebrated across the country, expressing hope that these events will provide true insight and bring auspiciousness to all. The book is offered with the sacred sentiment that the mangalacharan invoking "Mangalam Kundkundāryo" may be beneficial, and offers countless salutations to Acharya Kundkund. The accompanying verse by Kavi Vrindavandas further praises Kundkund as the sun of knowledge, dispeller of delusion, and bestower of purity and prosperity.