Bappabhattasuri

This document is an excerpt from a Jain text, likely a biographical account, focusing on the life and achievements of Acharya Bappabhattasuri. It appears to be part of a larger work detailing important figures in Jainism, as suggested by the publisher information referencing "Shramana Bhagwanto" (Jain monks/ascetics).

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided pages:

Introduction of Acharya Bappabhattasuri:

• Alternative Name and Title: Bappabhattasuri's second name was Bhadrakirtisuri, but he is primarily known as Bappabhatt. He earned the title "Vadikonkasari" (Lion in Debates) for his victories in philosophical debates.
• Influence on King Am: He greatly influenced King Am of Kanyakubja (Kannauj) through his intellect and greatly enhanced the prominence of Jainism.
• Guru: His guru was Siddhasen, an Acharya of the Medhera Gachha within the Shvetambara tradition. He is distinct from the historically famous Siddhasen Divakar.
• Guru-brothers: Govindasuri and Nannasuri were his elder guru-brothers.

Early Life and Initiation:

• Birth: He was born into a Kshatriya (warrior) lineage. His birthdate is given as Vir Nirvana Samvat 1270 (Vikram Samvat 800), on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Bhadrava, in the village of Dumbadhi (now Duva) in Gujarat, near Banaskantha. His parents were Bump and Bhakti, and his worldly name was Surpal.
• Discontent and Departure: Surpal, a proud child, left home in anger and reached Madhera.
• Encounter with Acharya Siddhasen: Acharya Siddhasen, residing in Madhera, had a dream of a lion cub climbing a temple spire. The next day, he noticed the impressive six-year-old Surpal in the temple.
• Surpal's Explanation: Surpal explained he was the son of Bump and Bhakti from Panchaladesha. He had a desire to fight enemies of the state but was prevented by his father. Disliking his father's pride, he left without informing his parents.
• Siddhasen's Recognition: Recognizing Surpal's potential, Acharya Siddhasen invited him to stay, stating that the company of saints is more beneficial than home. Surpal agreed.

Parenthood and Renunciation:

• Encounter with Parents: Acharya Siddhasen and Surpal visited Dumbadhi. Surpal's parents, Bump and Bhakti, came to pay their respects. Siddhasen informed them that their son was fortunate and wished for initiation.
• Parents' Hesitation: The parents were saddened by the prospect of losing their only son. However, Surpal's attachment to home had waned due to his time with the guru, and he was determined to take initiation.
• Parents' Condition: Seeing their son's resolve, the parents agreed, requesting that his name be "Bappabhatt" so their name would also be remembered.

Initiation and Early Monastic Life:

• Initiation: Acharya Siddhasen, with the consent of the Sangha, initiated Surpal in Madhera on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Vaishakh, Vir Nirvana Samvat 1277 (Vikram Samvat 807). His monastic names were Bhadrakirti and "Bappabhatt."
• Exceptional Intellect: As a young monk, Bappabhatt possessed sharp intellect, memorizing texts just by listening. He amazed everyone by memorizing a thousand verses in a single day. His guru was immensely pleased with his scholarly aptitude.

Encounter with King Am and the Patronage:

• Meeting with Am: During a spiritual discourse, Bappabhatt met a prominent individual from Beej Nagar, who was impressed by his eloquent recitation of poetry. This individual was the son of King Yashovarma of Kanyakubja, known as Am.
• Am's Background: Prince Am, having spent lavishly in his youth, was advised by his father to be more mindful of his expenses. This advice, he felt, was harsh, and he left home.
• Am's Education: Prince Am was also impressed by Acharya Siddhasen and received education in 64 arts and logic-based texts from Bappabhatt. A strong friendship developed between them.
• Am's Ascension to the Throne: King Yashovarma fell ill and summoned Am to ascend the throne. Am became king, and his father devoted himself to spiritual pursuits, eventually attaining salvation.
• Am's Reverence for Bappabhatt: Despite being king, Am greatly missed Bappabhatt and invited him to Kannauj.
• Bappabhatt's Humility: Upon arriving in Kannauj, Am offered Bappabhatt a seat on the royal throne. However, Bappabhatt refused, stating it was improper to sit on a throne before becoming an Acharya, as it would disrespect the elder gurus.
• Am's Request for Acharyahood: Am, unsatisfied by Bappabhatt's refusal, requested Acharya Siddhasen to grant Bappabhatt the title of Acharya.
• Siddhasen's Counsel and Bappabhatt's Acharyahood: Acharya Siddhasen agreed, advising Bappabhatt to remain focused on his spiritual goals despite potential future comforts and temptations. On the eighth day of the waning moon in Chaitra, Vikram Samvat 811, Bappabhatt was conferred the title of Acharya. Upon receiving this, he renounced six specific food items for the protection of the monastic path.

Life as Acharya Bappabhattasuri:

• Return to Kannauj: After becoming Acharya, Bappabhatt returned to Kannauj with his guru's permission.
• Deep Devotion of Am: King Am showed immense devotion and requested Bappabhatt to stay for an extended period.
• Bappabhatt's Literary Prowess: King Am was deeply impressed by Bappabhatt's poetic compositions and his ability to provide prompt answers and solutions to problems, making him seem omniscient.
• Am's Distraction and Bappabhatt's Departure: One day, Am became distracted while listening to a suggestive poem by Bappabhatt. Displeased by this lack of attention, Bappabhatt left Kannauj without informing the king, leaving behind a cryptic verse on the door indicating his departure.
• Am's Search: King Am searched for Bappabhatt but found no trace.

Stay in Gauda and Political Diplomacy:

• Travel to Gauda: Bappabhatt then traveled to Gauda (modern Bengal) and arrived in the capital, Lakshnavati.
• Meeting Vakyapati Raj: He met the scholar Vakyapati Raj, a court pandit of King Dharmaraj. Vakyapati informed King Dharmaraj about Bappabhatt's arrival.
• Dharmaraj's Hesitation: King Dharmaraj was aware of Bappabhatt but was hesitant due to his friendship with Am, who was Dharmaraj's political rival. Dharmaraj stated that if Am invited Bappabhatt, it would be an insult to him. He proposed that Am himself should invite Bappabhatt to his father's city.
• Bappabhatt's Acceptance: Bappabhatt accepted this condition and stayed in Dharmaraj's kingdom with honor.

Reconciliation and Political Maneuvering:

• Am's Distress: King Am learned that Bappabhatt was in Dharmaraj's kingdom. He sent his envoys, who reported that Am himself needed to go and persuade Bappabhatt for his return.
• Am's Disguise: Am disguised himself and went to the court of his rival, Dharmaraj. Bappabhatt recognized him and subtly informed Dharmaraj through a coded message, which Am also understood.
• Bappabhatt's Prophecy and Departure: Through this coded communication, Am requested Bappabhatt to return to his kingdom. Bappabhatt then departed Kannauj.

Guru's Passing and Succession:

• Siddhasen's Demise: Acharya Siddhasen, now old, summoned Bappabhatt to Kannauj, entrusted him with the responsibility of the Gachha, and then attained salvation through fasting.
• Bappabhatt's Leadership: After this, Bappabhatt handed over the Gachha to his elder guru-brothers, Govindasuri and Nannasuri, and then went to Kannauj at King Am's request.

Test of Character and Bappabhatt's Integrity:

• Am's Test: King Am, wanting to test Bappabhatt's adherence to his vows, sent a courtesan disguised as a man. The courtesan approached Bappabhatt while he was asleep and began to serve him.
• Bappabhatt's Steadfastness: Bappabhatt awoke and firmly rejected the courtesan, comparing his resolve to a mountain that cannot be moved by the wind. He advised her to return safely.
• Courtesan's Report: The courtesan returned and informed Am that Acharya Bappabhatt was as steadfast as Mount Meru and remained unaffected by her advances.
• Am's Admiration and Hesitation: Am was very pleased but felt shy about meeting Bappabhatt. Bappabhatt reassured him, saying that a king has the right to test his subjects.

Scholastic Debate and Peace:

• Debate with Vanakunjara: At the invitation of King Dharmaraj and with King Am's support, Bappabhatt engaged in a six-month-long debate with the Buddhist scholar Vanakunjara.
• Victory and Title: Acharya Bappabhatt emerged victorious, earning him the title "Vadikonkasari."
• Reconciliation: This event led to the reconciliation between King Am and King Dharmaraj, significantly enhancing the glory of Jainism.

Am's Conversion and Patronage of Jainism:

• Challenge to Bappabhatt: King Am, who was already influenced by the Sankhya yogi Vati of Mathura, was challenged by Bappabhatt to embrace Jainism. Am stated that Bappabhatt's power could influence him, but only if he could convert the Vati yogi.
• Bappabhatt's Mission to Mathura: Bappabhatt accepted the challenge and traveled to Mathura.
• Conversion of Vati: There, he encountered Vakyapati, who was meditating. Through profound discourse and spiritual teachings, Bappabhatt converted Vakyapati to Jainism.
• Am's Devotion: King Am, inspired by this, became a devoted follower of Jainism. He organized pilgrimage groups to holy sites like Shatrunjay and Girnar and built Jain temples in places like Kannauj. He passed away in Vikram Samvat 890.

Succession of Am's Dynasty and Bappabhatt's End:

• Am's Son Dunduk: Am's son, Dunduk, succeeded him and also showed respect to Bappabhatt.
• Dunduk's Plot: Dunduk's son was Bhoj. A prostitute named Kati advised Dunduk to kill Prince Bhoj. Kati had manipulated Dunduk after he became king.
• Bhoj's Safety: Prince Bhoj's mother learned of the conspiracy and sent Bhoj to his maternal grandfather in Patliputra.
• Dunduk's Request to Bappabhatt: When Bhoj did not return, Dunduk asked Bappabhatt to go to Patliputra and bring Bhoj back or persuade him to return.
• Bappabhatt's Dilemma and Renunciation: Bappabhatt tried to avoid this situation. Five years later, Dunduk forcibly sent Bappabhatt with an escort to bring Bhoj. Bappabhatt realized he was in a difficult situation: if Bhoj didn't come, Dunduk would be angry with him, and if Bhoj did come, it would lead to Dunduk's untimely death. Considering his remaining lifespan, Bappabhatt took a vow of fasting. He advised his disciples, including Nannasuri and Govindasuri, to embrace impermanence and to confess any faults incurred in their vows.
• Passing Away: After 89 years of monastic life, Bappabhatt passed away at the age of 95 in Vir Nirvana Samvat 1365 (Vikram Samvat 895), on the eighth day of the waxing moon in the month of Shravan, under the Swati nakshatra.

Legacy:

• Bhoj's Reign: After Bappabhatt's demise, Dunduk was killed by King Bhoj. Bhoj then ascended the throne of Kannauj. According to the "Prabhavak Charitra," King Bhoj contributed even more to the propagation of Jainism than King Am.
• Other Titles and Works: Acharya Bappabhattasuri had many titles, including "Rajapujit" (Revered by Kings). He was also a prolific writer, authoring 52 Prabandhas, including the extant "Chaturvishanti Jinastuti" and "Saraswati Stotra."
• Timeline Summary:
  • Birth: Vir Nirvana Samvat 1270 (Vikram Samvat 800)
  • Initiation: Vir Nirvana Samvat 1277 (Vikram Samvat 807)
  • Acharyahood: Vir Nirvana Samvat 1281 (Vikram Samvat 811) (at age 11)
  • Demise: Vir Nirvana Samvat 1365 (Vikram Samvat 895)
  • Era: He was an influential Acharya of the 13th Vir Nirvana century (9th Vikram century).

The text also briefly introduces Acharya Udyotan Surishwarji Maharaj, the author of "Kuvalayamala," highlighting his scholarship, expertise in various subjects, his lineage, and the significance of his work. This suggests that the book "Bappabhattasuri" might be part of a larger series or collection of biographies of prominent Jain scholars and monks.