Dakshin Bharat Me Jain Dharm

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Dakshin Bharat me Jain Dharm" by Ranjan Suridev, in English:

This essay explores the historical presence and spread of Jainism in South India. The author, Ranjan Suridev, notes that according to mythological Jain history, the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, was instrumental in propagating Jainism in South India.

The text highlights the two major branches of Jainism: Shvetambara and Digambara. Ancient Tamil literature, such as "Ratnakarshatak," indicates that during their composition, Digambara Jainism was predominantly prevalent in South India.

A widely accepted theory among modern Jain scholars is that Jainism entered South India with Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu, the guru of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. However, the traditional Jain belief asserts that the Jain sangha (community) in South India is as ancient as that in North India. This tradition explains Bhadrabahu's migration to South India with his sangha to protect the Dharma during a severe twelve-year famine in North India. His sangha is considered the first known Digambara Jain sangha in the South.

Some non-Indian scholars, like Dr. Hoernle, suggest that the Jain sangha, which was unified at the time of the famine, split due to the migration to Karnataka. According to this view, the sangha led by Bhadrabahu, who went to Karnataka, retained the Digambara form. The remaining Jain members in Magadha, led by Sthulabhadra, became known as Shvetambaras, who favored white attire, while the Digambaras considered directions as their clothing. After peace was restored in Magadha, the Jain sangha that returned from Karnataka is said to have severed ties with the Magadha sangha and established its own distinct principles.

The Digambara Jain sangha in South India was highly respected by the Dravidians. Some scholars theorize that the Dravidians were descendants of the Naga lineage. During the reign of Naga kings in South India, many Naga customs and rituals were adopted by the Dravidians, including the worship of Nagas. The iconography of Tirthankaras Suparshvanatha and Parshvanatha resembles Naga idols, making Jainism's simple worship system easily acceptable to the Dravidians.

While Digambara Jainism held significant influence, Shvetambaras also reached South India. Shvetambara scriptures mention that Kalakacharya was the guru of the king of Paithan, indicating Shvetambara Jain presence in the Andhra region. Later, in the 2nd century BCE, Shvetambara guru Padaliptacharya traveled to Malkhed, though the extent of his success in propagating his faith is unclear. A copper inscription from the 5th century CE mentions a Shvetambara Jain sangha for the first time.

Following Bhadrabahu's prominent sangha, the Digambara Jain sangha in South India is later mentioned in scriptures during the time of Shridharasenaacharya, who joined the sangha in Mahimanagari, believed to be the present-day Mahimangarh in the Satara district.

The text then focuses on significant figures in South Indian Jainism after Lord Mahavir and his ganadhara Gautamaswami. Kundakundacharya is a revered figure. His name appears as Kondakunda in inscriptions, a term originating from the Dravidian language, with Kundakunda being its Sanskritized form. His actual name is believed to be Padmanandi, and he was also known by names like Vakragriva, Elacharya, and Gridhrapichchha. He resided in a place called Kundakunda, hence the name Kondakundacharya. He composed numerous works in Prakrit and Tamil, playing a vital role in the resurgence of Jainism. It is also suggested that the renowned Tamil ethical work "Kural" is a composition by Kundakundacharya, which Tamilians consider their Veda. The "Kural" contains 80 chapters filled with teachings, ethical maxims, and the glory of the Tirthankaras.

After Kundakundacharya, Lord Umaswami or Umasvati (1st century CE) is mentioned. Like Kundakundacharya, he is revered by both Shvetambara and Digambara traditions. According to Digambara Jain literature, Umasvati was a descendant of Kundakundacharya and was also known as Gridhrapichchacharya. Shvetambara commentaries on the "Tattvarthadhigama Sutra" praise Umasvati, mentioning his birth in Nyagrodhika, his parents Swati and Vatsi, and his gotra as Kobhishani. His initiation guru was Shraman Ghoshanandi, and his academic guru was Vachakacharya Mula. He composed his famous work, "Tattvarthadhigama Sutra," in Kusumapura (Patna). Both traditions refer to him as "Vachaka." Shvetambara tradition attributes 500 works to him, marking him as a prominent Jain philosopher of the 1st century CE.

Following Umasvati, Swami Samantabhadra is recognized as a pioneer of Jainism in South India. He was associated with the Kadamba dynasty of South India. His father was a Kshatriya king of Uragapura in Phanimandala. Swami Samantabhadra spent his childhood in Uragapura, a center of Jainism, and dedicated himself to Dharma. He was an expert in Jain philosophy and proficient in logic, grammar, prosody, rhetoric, poetry, and lexicography. He was also a traveler and visited various regions, including Pataliputra (Patna), for the propagation of Dharma and philosophical debates, as evidenced by a verse quoted in the text. This verse details his travels and challenges to kings for debates.

Swami Samantabhadra's notable works include "Aptamimansa," "Yuktyanushasana," "Svayambhu Stotra," "Ratnakaranda Shravakachara," "Prakrita Vyakarana," and "Gandhahasti Mahabhashya." The essay concludes by stating that these revered acharyas played a crucial role in the immortal propagation of Jainism in South India, introducing its principles to the populace and enriching their lives.

The text reiterates that, according to Jain scriptures, civilization and culture in South India, like in North India, were first promoted by Lord Rishabhadeva. When Rishabhadeva was organizing the Dharma across the land, Indra is said to have divided the entire country into 52 regions. Several of these regions, including Ashmaka, Ramya, Karhat, Maharashtra, Ahira, Konkana, Vanavasa, Andhra, Karnata, Chola, and Kerala, are located in South India, indicating Rishabhadeva's role in defining and shaping their culture. The historical beginning of Jainism in South India dates back to the primordial era of the Karmabhumi, recorded in both mythological and historical contexts.

Some scholars propose that Emperor Bahubali, the second son of Lord Rishabhadeva, was the foremost proponent of religion in South India, citing that his reign included regions like Ashmaka, Ramya, and Podanapur, which are located in South India. However, there is a debate regarding the exact location of Podanapur, with some identifying it with Taxila and others with a specific region in the Southern territories.

Modern scholars generally agree that Jainism entered South India not in the very ancient past, but during the Maurya period. They attribute its introduction to Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu, who migrated south with his sangha in anticipation of a severe famine in North India, thereby introducing Jainism to the local population. This viewpoint is supported by both Eastern and Western historians, as the evaluation of religion cannot be solely based on tradition.

Traditional Jains believe that, especially in the ancient Tamil (Andhra) kingdom of South India, Jainism coexisted with Vedic and Buddhist religions from ancient times. The essay mentions that in 138 CE, a Christian priest named Pantaenus from Alexandria observed Shramanas (Jain ascetics), Brahmins, and Buddhist gurus in India, who were deeply revered by the people due to their virtuous lives. Tamil Sangam literature, such as "Manimekhalai" and "Shilappadikaram," indicates that the ancient name for Jain ascetics was "Shramana," a term later adopted by Buddhists. However, in South Indian literary texts and inscriptions, the term "Shramana" is consistently used for Jains, signifying a large number of Jain followers in ancient times.