Acharya Sthulibhadra

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The text introduces Acharya Sthulibhadra, a significant figure in Jain history, tracing his life from his early days in Magadha, a kingdom ruled by the Nanda dynasty around 300 BC. Sthulibhadra was the son of Shaktäl, the former Prime Minister to King Dhanänand. Shaktäl was a wise and respected man, but his son Sthulibhadra was not ambitious.

Sthulibhadra fell deeply in love with a beautiful dancer named Kosha in Patliputra. Despite his family's disapproval, he left home at 18 to live with Kosha, becoming infatuated and abandoning his career prospects and family. He even refused a high position offered by King Dhanänand, which was then given to his younger brother, Shriyak.

A political upheaval in Magadha led King Dhanänand to become suspicious of his advisors, including Shaktäl and Shriyak. To prove Shriyak's loyalty, Shaktäl orchestrated his own death, convincing Shriyak to kill him after he secretly ingested poison. This tragic event served as a turning point for Sthulibhadra.

Upon learning of his father's sacrifice, Sthulibhadra, after 12 years with Kosha, had an awakening. He reflected on his wasted youth and realized the impermanence of life and worldly pleasures. Driven by questions about life's meaning and a desire for lasting happiness, he renounced his lifestyle, left Kosha, and became a disciple of Acharya Sambhutivijay, a successor to Lord Mahavir.

Sthulibhadra dedicated himself to spiritual growth, overcoming his senses of attachment and lust. His resolve was tested during a monsoon season. He, along with three other monks, chose to endure extreme conditions to test their faith. Sthulibhadra's test was particularly challenging: he requested permission to spend the monsoon in Kosha's picture gallery.

Kosha, who had been missing Sthulibhadra, hoped to win him back. However, Sthulibhadra remained focused on spiritual meditation, reflecting on the transient nature of life. He successfully resisted temptation, and Kosha, witnessing his steadfastness, eventually became his disciple. Sthulibhadra emerged spiritually stronger from this ordeal.

The text then recounts a test of another monk who, inspired by Sthulibhadra's success, attempted the same challenge. However, he succumbed to temptation when Kosha demanded a costly garment from Nepal. Kosha's rejection of the garment, after the monk's sacrifice, served as a harsh lesson to the monk about the value of his monastic life. This incident further solidified respect for Sthulibhadra.

Sthulibhadra played a crucial role in preserving the oldest Jain scriptures, the twelve Anga Āgams and fourteen Purvas, which were transmitted orally. He studied extensively under Acharya Bhadrabahu, who was the last to possess complete knowledge of all scriptures.

During a severe twelve-year famine, many scriptures were forgotten. Acharya Bhadrabahu migrated south with his disciples, leaving Sthulibhadra as the leader of the monks in Patliputra. After the famine, Sthulibhadra organized a convention to recompile the scriptures. As the twelfth Anga Āgam (Drashtivada) and its Purvas were not remembered by anyone present, Sthulibhadra journeyed to Nepal to learn them from Acharya Bhadrabahu.

In Nepal, Sthulibhadra misused his acquired powers by transforming into a lion to impress his visiting nun sisters. Acharya Bhadrabahu, disappointed by this misuse of power for a trivial purpose, initially refused to teach him the remaining four Purvas. Only after the Jain Sangha's intervention was Sthulibhadra allowed to learn them, but with two conditions: he would not be taught their meaning, and he could not teach them to others.

The text concludes by highlighting Sthulibhadra's immense contribution to saving Jain scriptures, stating his name is recited alongside Lord Mahavir and Gautam-swami in the Shvetambar tradition. It emphasizes that even after wasting years, with determination, one can achieve spiritual goals and overcome adversities. Sthulibhadra's life is presented as an inspiration, demonstrating that it's never too late to set high goals and conquer inner desires.