Dada Gurudev Charitra

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Book Title: Dada Gurudev Charitra (Lives of the Dada Gurudevs) Author: Sadhvi Muktiprabhashreeji Publisher: Shri Vichakshan Smruti Prakashan Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/005803/1

This book, "Dada Gurudev Charitra," compiled by Sadhvi Muktiprabhashreeji and published by Shri Vichakshan Smruti Prakashan, is a biographical account of five eminent Jain Acharyas who are revered as "Dada Gurudevs." The book was inspired by Sadhvi Manoharshreeji and received blessings from Sadhvi Vinitaashreeji. It aims to provide inspirational lives of these great souls to the spiritual seekers in the current materialistic era.

The book covers the lives of the following five influential Jain Gurus:

1. Acharya Shri Abhaydevsuriji Gurudev:

   • He was a learned disciple of Acharya Shri Jineshwarsuriji.
   • His life is documented in the "Prabhavak Charitra."
   • Born as Abhaykumar, son of a wealthy merchant in Dharanagari, he was deeply influenced by Acharya Jineshwarsuri's teachings and renounced the world for a spiritual life.
   • He excelled in scriptural studies, tapasya (austerities), and public discourse, earning widespread acclaim.
   • He was granted the title of Acharya by his guru.
   • A notable incident describes him captivating royalty with his spiritual discourse, and later warding off temptation with a description of the body's impermanence.
   • He possessed a unique ability to convey emotions like heroism through his lectures.
   • Recognizing a trend of monks delving into subjects like astrology and occult sciences over scriptural study, Acharya Abhaydevsuriji dedicated himself to the rigorous study and commentary of the Jain Agamas.
   • Despite suffering from leprosy due to intense austerities, he continued his work.
   • He was advised by the Shasan Devi (guardian deity) to perform a ritual at the statue of Parshvanath Bhagwan near the Shedi river in Khambhat. Through a new stotra (hymn) called "Jayti Huann Stotra," the statue emerged from the ground, and its purifying water cured his leprosy. This statue is known as Sthambhan Parshvanath.
   • After his recovery, he wrote profound commentaries on nine Agam Angas, which are considered highly valuable.
   • He also mentored many scholars and poets, significantly contributing to Jain literature and the flourishing of the Kharatar Gacch.

2. First Gurudev Shri Jina-dattasuriji Maharaj Saheb:

   • Considered a seminal figure and a "jangam yugpradhan" (living epoch-maker) of the Kharatar Gacch.
   • Born as Somchandra in Dholka, Gujarat, in Samvat 1132, to Vachhag and Bahaldevi, who were devout Jains.
   • He was exceptionally intelligent and strong from birth.
   • A Sadhvi recognized his potential for great service to Jainism and asked his mother not to hinder his spiritual path.
   • He was initiated by Upadhyay Dharmadev at the age of nine, becoming Muni Somchandra.
   • He mastered various languages and subjects and was conferred the title of Acharya Shri Jina-dattasuriji in Samvat 1169.
   • He was known for his tapasya, mantra sadhana, and possessed great spiritual power.
   • He demonstrated his power by immobilizing sixty-four Yoginis who tried to trick him, receiving seven boons in return.
   • He recovered ancient mantra-infused texts from a sacred pillar in Chittor and similar texts from a pillar in Ujjain.
   • During a ritual in Ajmer, he stopped a lightning bolt with his spiritual power, earning a boon that anyone remembering him during lightning would be protected.
   • He performed a miracle by animating a dead cow and placing it in a Shiva temple after Brahmins desecrated a Jain temple, leading to the Brahmins' conversion and admiration.
   • He revived a young Mughal prince who had died after being bitten by a snake.
   • He was recognized as a "Yugpradhan" by the deity Ambika Devi through a divine inscription.
   • He rescued merchants whose ship was sinking by bringing it to shore during his discourse.
   • He converted over 1,30,000 people from various castes to Jainism and established 58 prominent clans (gotras).
   • He influenced kings like Chauhan Raja, Kumarpal, and others to follow Jainism.
   • He authored numerous original and high-quality works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, and Gujarati.
   • He appointed Shri Jinchandragani, who had a divine jewel on his head, as his successor.
   • He passed away at the age of 79 in Ajmer in Samvat 1211, after undertaking a fast.
   • His clothes from the funeral pyre did not burn and were preserved in the Jain knowledge repository in Jaisalmer.
   • He is considered an "avatarī" (one who takes birth for a specific purpose) and is believed to have been a powerful deity in Saudharmendra heaven before his birth and will be reborn in Mahavideh Kshetra before attaining liberation.

3. Second Gurudev Mani-dhari Shri Jinachandrasuriji Maharaj Saheb:

   • Succeeding Jina-dattasuriji, he is historically revered for his influential and virtuous life.
   • Born as Sultan-kumar in Vikrampur (near Jaisalmer) in Samvat 1197 to Seth Shah Rasal and Delhan-devi.
   • He was exceptionally intelligent and devoted to the Dharma from childhood.
   • He was initiated by Acharya Jina-dattasuriji at the age of six in Samvat 1203 and named Muni Sumati-dhir.
   • Within two years, he mastered the Agamas and various other subjects, impressing everyone with his intellect and eloquence.
   • At the young age of eight (Samvat 1205), he was appointed Acharya by Acharya Jina-dattasuriji, becoming known as Acharya Shri Jinachandrasuriji.
   • He received comprehensive knowledge, including mantras, astrology, grammar, and more, from his guru.
   • He was entrusted with the leadership of the Gacch at the tender age of thirteen after Acharya Jina-dattasuriji's demise.
   • He propagated Jainism, initiated many into monastic life, and established Jain temples.
   • He debated and defeated a proud astrologer and a rival Acharya named Padmacharya, earning great respect and a victory award.
   • He protected his followers from bandits by drawing a protective circle with his staff, rendering them invisible to the robbers.
   • He impressed King Madanpal of Delhi, who invited him to the city. Despite a previous instruction from his guru not to visit Delhi, he eventually entered the city due to the king's earnest request.
   • His teachings transformed King Madanpal, who became a follower of Jainism.
   • He helped a merchant named Kulchandra gain wealth by providing him with a blessed amulet.
   • He passed away at the young age of 26 in Samvat 1223.
   • His last wishes were to be cremated without resting midway and to have a pot of milk ready to catch a precious jewel from his head.
   • A jewel was indeed found in the milk, but it was lost by the person who received it, highlighting the principle that valuable things don't last with the unworthy.
   • The incident of the jewel solidified his title "Mani-dhari" (jewel-bearer).
   • His death caused immense grief, and his palanquin miraculously refused to move from a marketplace until he was cremated there. The site is still known as Mahroli.

4. Third Gurudev Shri Jina-kushalsuriji Maharaj Saheb:

   • A renowned Acharya whose name is etched in history.
   • Born as Karma-n-kumar in Gadh-sihana, Rajasthan, in Samvat 1337 to Sheetalsah and Jayantashri.
   • He was deeply influenced by Acharya Jinachandrasurishwarji's teachings, leading to a strong renunciation of worldly life.
   • Despite his mother's pleas, he was determined to embrace the monastic path and was initiated by Acharya Jinachandrasuriji in Samvat 1347 at the age of ten, renamed Kushalkirti.
   • He studied under Upadhyay Viveka-samudra and mastered numerous scriptures and subjects.
   • He was appointed Vachana-acharya in Samvat 1375.
   • In Samvat 1377, he succeeded Acharya Jinachandrasuriji as the head of the Gacch, renamed Jinakushalsuriji.
   • He led significant religious festivals, including the consecration of temples and the initiation of many individuals.
   • He traveled extensively, spreading Jainism and performing numerous acts of religious service.
   • He undertook a large pilgrimage to Shatrunjay and Girnar mountains, consecrating temples and performing religious ceremonies along the way.
   • He countered prevailing unrighteous practices in Sindh, preaching the true Dharma and fostering an atmosphere of peace and love.
   • He appointed Padmamurti as his successor and provided him with extensive guidance.
   • He passed away after a fast in Devrajpur in Fagan Vad 5 (Amavasya) of Samvat 1389.
   • He is known for performing miracles, such as saving a boat from a storm, appearing in dreams to fulfill devotees' wishes, and transforming a village into a pilgrimage site.
   • He also brought about the construction of a grand temple and dharamshala at his sacred cremation site in Malpura.
   • He converted fifty thousand non-Jains to Jainism.

5. Fourth Gurudev Shri Jinachandrasuriji Maharaj Saheb:

   • Also known as the "Akbar Pratibodhaka" (Enlightener of Akbar) and the fourth Dada Gurudev.
   • Born as Sultan-kumar in Khetsar village near Jodhpur in Samvat 1595 to Seth Shreevantshah and Shreeyadevi.
   • He mastered various arts and scriptures from a young age and was deeply devoted to spiritual practice.
   • Initiated by Acharya Jinamanikyasuriji at the age of nine in Samvat 1654, he was named Sumati-dhir Muni.
   • He was appointed Acharya in Samvat 1612 at the young age of seventeen.
   • He undertook the task of reforming the laxity within the Gacch, setting strict rules for monks.
   • He wrote a commentary on the "Paushadh Vidhi Prakaran" and performed various religious ceremonies.
   • He famously debated and defeated a minister who was boasting of his knowledge of scriptures.
   • He protected devotees from Mughal soldiers by immobilizing them with his spiritual power.
   • He converted King Akbar and his son Salim to Jainism. Akbar was so impressed that he issued decrees prohibiting animal sacrifice and protecting pilgrimage sites.
   • He dissuaded Akbar from abandoning his daughter born under an inauspicious constellation, advising Jain rituals instead.
   • He demonstrated immense spiritual power by making the moon appear on a new moon night to prove his disciple's words and counter a Muslim cleric's mockery.
   • He was granted the title of "Yugpradhan" by Emperor Akbar himself.
   • He also played a crucial role in reinstating the tradition of monastic movement (Vihar) that had been banned by Jahangir.
   • He performed his Chaturmas in Bilada and passed away there in Aso Vad 2. His funeral was a grand event, and his "mukhavastrika" (face cloth) miraculously remained unburnt, showcasing his immense spiritual power.
   • A grand memorial and temple were built at his cremation site in Bilada.

The book "Dada Gurudev Charitra" serves as a testament to the profound influence and miraculous lives of these Jain Acharyas, offering spiritual guidance and inspiration to readers.