Aryarakshitsuri

This Jain text, "Aryarakshitsuri" by Nandlal B Devluk, details the life and significant contributions of Acharya Aryarakshitsuri, a pivotal figure in Jainism. The text is presented in two parts, referencing catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/249066/1.

Here's a comprehensive summary:

Early Life and Education:

• Aryarakshitsuri was born in Dashpur city in the Avanti (Malwa) region to Somdev, a learned Purohit (priest), and Rudrama.
• He and his brother, Phalukshitsuri, were educated in the Vedas by their father.
• Possessing exceptional intellect, Aryarakshitsuri furthered his studies in Pataliputra, where he quickly mastered the secrets of the Vedas, even those considered hidden.
• Upon his return, his profound scholarship was recognized by the king, who personally came to welcome him into the city.

Spiritual Awakening and Initiation:

• His mother, Rudrama, was a devout Shravika (lay follower) knowledgeable in the nine Tattvas (truths). During her Samayika (meditative practice), she saw her son but did not bless him due to the interruption of her practice.
• This led Aryarakshitsuri to question the value of his current studies if they couldn't bring contentment to his mother.
• Rudrama advised him to study the twelfth Anga of Jain scriptures, Drishtivada, which destroys worldly suffering and is known only to Jinavani (teachings of Jinas).
• Upon hearing this, Aryarakshitsuri, eager to study Drishtivada, sought its teacher. His mother directed him to Acharya Tasliputra, who was residing in their sugarcane grove.
• The next morning, while on his way to meet Acharya Tasliputra, he encountered his father's friend carrying sugarcane stalks. This encounter sparked a thought that he would likely learn nine and a half chapters of the scripture.
• Reaching the Upshray (monastery), he felt uncertain about the Jain rituals. He observed Acharya Tasliputra being paid respects by a Shravak named Harsh. Following him, Aryarakshitsuri also paid his respects.
• Acharya Tasliputra, recognizing him as the son of the royal Purohit, questioned his presence. Aryarakshitsuri explained his mother's wish.
• The Acharya, recognizing Aryarakshitsuri's noble background and potential for virtue, stated that Drishtivada could not be taught without Jain initiation.

Initiation and Further Studies:

• Aryarakshitsuri expressed his desire for Jain initiation, but also concern that his family, especially the king, might try to prevent it due to their attachment. He suggested the Acharya should move to another region to perform the initiation to avoid diminishing the prestige of the Shasan (Jain order).
• Acharya Tasliputra agreed, initiated Aryarakshitsuri outside the city, and then immediately departed.
• Under Acharya Tasliputra's guidance, Aryarakshitsuri studied the Angas, Upangas, and other scriptures, along with various ascetic practices.
• Later, to complete his study of the remaining Purvas (ancient texts), he was directed to study under Acharya Vajraswami.

Under Acharya Vajraswami:

• On his way to Ujjain, Aryarakshitsuri stayed at the Upshray of Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri.
• Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri, recognizing Aryarakshitsuri's aspiration for Purvas, requested his help in his final days, emphasizing the duty of noble individuals. Aryarakshitsuri agreed and served him devotedly.
• During this time, Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri confided in Aryarakshitsuri a secret instruction from Acharya Vajraswami: to take his meals and sleep separately from Vajraswami's disciples. He explained that being in close proximity to Vajraswami could inspire such intense detachment that one might immediately embrace asceticism and even vow to die with him. He stressed Aryarakshitsuri's importance as a beacon for Jainism and a future pillar of the Sangha (community).
• After Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri's passing, Aryarakshitsuri proceeded to study under Acharya Vajraswami.
• Acharya Vajraswami had a dream of feeding an important guest with a pot of payasam (sweet rice pudding), leaving only a small portion. He interpreted this to mean a great scholar would arrive and absorb most of the knowledge, leaving little behind.
• When Aryarakshitsuri arrived, Vajraswami welcomed him, noting his arrival fulfilled his dream. He invited Aryarakshitsuri to share meals and lodging, but Aryarakshitsuri, remembering Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri's words, requested separate accommodation.
• Vajraswami, understanding the reason, agreed and began teaching him the Purvas, including the tenth Purva, which contained complex concepts.

Family Concerns and Brother's Initiation:

• Meanwhile, Aryarakshitsuri's mother, Rudrama, regretted her actions and sent Aryarakshitsuri's brother, Phalukshitsuri, to bring him back, emphasizing the importance of maternal love, even acknowledged by the Jinas.
• Phalukshitsuri conveyed his mother's message and pleaded with his brother to return. Aryarakshitsuri, driven by detachment, explained the impermanence of the world and urged his brother to join him in monastic life. Phalukshitsuri agreed and was initiated.

Completion of Studies and Return:

• Despite his intelligence, Aryarakshitsuri found the study of the Jajvalikas (parts of scriptures) exhausting. He inquired about the remaining portion, and Vajraswami described it as vast.
• His brother repeatedly urged him to return home. Aryarakshitsuri sought permission from Vajraswami, promising to return after meeting his family.
• Vajraswami, sensing his own limited lifespan and that Aryarakshitsuri would not return to complete his studies, allowed him to go. He stated that the tenth Purva would remain with him.
• Aryarakshitsuri returned to his birthplace with his brother and met his former teacher, Acharya Tasliputra. Tasliputra, upon seeing his progress, appointed him as Acharya before passing away himself.

Spreading Jainism and Establishing Order:

• Acharya Aryarakshitsuri then went to Dashpur and met his parents, who were overjoyed to see him as an Acharya. He explained the rarity of human birth and, after administering the Samayika vow, initiated them.
• Among his disciples were the highly accomplished Munis Ghatapushpamitra and Vastrapushpamitra. He also had four prominent disciples: Durbalikapushpamitra, Vidhyamuni, Phalukshitsuri, and Goshthamahila.
• Vidhyamuni requested a separate teaching session due to distractions from other students. Aryarakshitsuri designated Durbalikapushpamitra as his 'Vachanaacharya' (recitation teacher).
• Durbalikapushpamitra later expressed concern that his teaching duties were causing him to forget his own studies. This made Aryarakshitsuri contemplate the difficulty of preserving the Agamas (scriptures) due to the decline in intellectual capacity and the challenges of understanding the profound, multi-layered meanings within each sutra.

The Fourfold Division of Agamas:

• Aryarakshitsuri, being a scholar of nine and a half Purvas, deeply understood sciences like physiology, motion, and psychology. He recognized the impending decline of scriptural knowledge due to famines and the weakening of collective memory.
• He observed that even intelligent monks struggled to retain knowledge. He realized the vastness of each sutra, containing four Anuyogas (categories of interpretation): Dravyanuyoga (metaphysics), Charanakarana (conduct and rituals), Ganitanuyoga (mathematics), and Dharamkathaanuyoga (narrative). Preserving all these aspects within each sutra was becoming increasingly difficult.
• Considering the limited time and immense task, and with the consent of contemporary influential Acharyas, Aryarakshitsuri divided the Agamas into four main streams, retaining the primary meaning of each sutra while simplifying secondary aspects. This division helped ensure the longevity of the Jain Agamas.
  • Dravyanuyoga: Drishtivada
  • Charanakaranaga: 11 Angas, Chedasutras, Mahakalpa, Upangas, Moolasutras
  • Ganitanuyoga: Suryaprajnapti, Chandraprajnapti
  • Dharmakathanuyoga: Kalpasutra, Uttaradhyayana
• This division, carried out around Vir Nirvan Samvat 197 (approximately), was a significant event in preserving the Agamas.

Divine Encounter and Test:

• While in Mathura, Aryarakshitsuri stayed in a temple. Meanwhile, Saudharmendra (Indra, king of gods) went to Mahavidehkshetra to pay respects to Simandhar Swami. After hearing the discourse, he asked who in Bharatkshetra could explain the nature of Nigoda (a state of existence). The Lord mentioned Aryarakshitsuri as being able to do so.
• Intrigued, Indra visited Aryarakshitsuri in the guise of an old, frail Brahmin. He asked about Nigoda creatures. Aryarakshitsuri accurately described them, impressing Indra.
• To test his knowledge further, Indra asked Aryarakshitsuri's lifespan. Aryarakshitsuri, realizing Indra's divine status, recognized his intention and stated his lifespan could not be measured in years, but was ultimately two Sagaropams. He then asked if Indra was testing him.
• Indra revealed his true form and requested Aryarakshitsuri to perform a miracle as a sign. Fearing the consequences of performing miracles for show, Aryarakshitsuri initially refused but then reversed the direction of the Upshray door as a subtle indication. Indra then departed.

Succession and Passing:

• Later, in Mathura, a proponent of atheism was defeated in debate by Muni Goshthamahila, leading the Sangh to request him to stay for the monsoon.
• Aryarakshitsuri considered who would succeed him as Acharya and chose Durbalikapushpamitra. However, some relatives supported Phalukshitsuri, while others proposed Goshthamahila for leadership.
• To illustrate the suitability of his choice, Aryarakshitsuri used an analogy of three pots filled with urad dal, oil, and ghee. The urad dal spilled out completely, some oil remained, and the ghee clung most tenaciously. He explained that Durbalikapushpamitra was like the urad dal (unattached), Phalukshitsuri like the oil (somewhat attached), and Goshthamahila like the ghee (most attached). He declared Durbalikapushpamitra as the most suitable successor.
• Durbalikapushpamitra was then installed as the new Acharya. Aryarakshitsuri, after arranging the affairs of the Sangha, took a vow of fasting and passed away in his birthplace, Mandasaur, in Vir Nirvan Samvat 297.
• Acharya Pushpamitra succeeded him and led the Sangha even more peacefully than his guru. Muni Goshthamahila later became an antagonist.

Disciple Durbalikapushpamitra:

• The text then introduces Acharya Durbalikapushpamitra, a disciple of Aryarakshitsuri, who was deeply devoted to study and meditation.
• He was a knower of nine Purvas. His father was a Buddhist who converted to Jainism and took initiation due to Aryarakshitsuri's teachings.
• Due to intense study and meditation, Durbalikapushpamitra became extremely thin. His family inquired if Aryarakshitsuri was restricting his food or imposing severe penance.
• Aryarakshitsuri explained that his thinness was due to the burning away of food through rigorous study and meditation, a fact confirmed when Durbalikapushpamitra regained his health after reducing his study.

The text highlights Acharya Aryarakshitsuri's immense scholarship, his critical role in organizing and preserving the Jain Agamas through the fourfold division, his profound spiritual insights, and his ability to guide and shape future generations of Jain Acharyas.