Gandhar Sudharma Swami - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Gandhar Sudharma Swami":

The text introduces Ganadhars as the immediate disciples of a Tirthankar (a spiritual teacher in Jainism). Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar, had eleven Ganadhars, and his monastic community was divided into 11 groups, each led by a Ganadhar. Upon Lord Mahavir's Nirvana (liberation), only two Ganadhars, Gautam-swami and Sudharma-swami, were still alive.

The text highlights that a Kevali (one who has attained omniscience) typically remains in a meditative state and does not assume a leadership role. Therefore, Sudharma-swami became the leader of the Jain community after Mahavir's Nirvana.

The biography of Sudharma-swami is then presented:

Birth and Early Life: Sudharma-swami was born in 607 BC in the village of Kollag (now Kollua) in Bihar, India. He was the son of a learned Brahmin named Dhammil and his wife Bhaddilä. His mother, Bhaddilä, worshipped the goddess Saraswati, who blessed her with a highly accomplished son. Sudharma was 8 years older than Lord Mahavir. He received a comprehensive education in Vedas, Upanishads, and other Brahmanical literature at a well-known ashram, becoming a respected Brahmin pundit and establishing his own influential school.
Joining Lord Mahavir: The narrative describes a grand sacrificial Yajna organized by a prosperous Brahmin named Somil in Pavapuri. The most learned Brahmins of the time, including Indrabhuti Gautam and his brothers, were invited. Sudharma was also present. During the ceremony, celestial chariots were seen descending, but they passed over the sacrificial site and headed towards the Mahasen forest, where Lord Mahavir had arrived to deliver his first sermon and establish the Jain order.
Debate and Conversion: Indrabhuti Gautam, angered by this apparent disregard for his ritual, went to debate Lord Mahavir. Mahavir welcomed him and addressed his doubts about the soul, convincing Indrabhuti and his 500 followers to become disciples. Subsequently, Indrabhuti's brothers, Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti, along with another pundit, Vyakta, also went to Mahavir. Mahavir addressed their questions about the soul and Karma, leading to their conversion with their disciples.
Sudharma's Conversion: Sudharma's own deeply held belief was that living beings reincarnated only into their own species, based on the analogy of plant life. Lord Mahavir patiently explained the concept of Karma and how it influences reincarnation into human, heavenly, or animal forms. Convinced by Mahavir's wisdom, Sudharma, along with his 500 disciples, became a disciple of Mahavir and came to be known as Sudharma-swami. The remaining six Brahmin scholars also joined, completing the eleven Ganadhars. The sacrificial ceremony was abandoned by Somil.
Leadership and Compilation of Scriptures: Lord Mahavir lived for another 30 years after attaining omniscience, spreading his message of compassion and liberation. During this time, Sudharma-swami diligently listened to Mahavir's discourses, which enabled him to compile Mahavir's teachings into Jain scriptures known as Agams.
Succession and Legacy: After Mahavir's Nirvana in 527 BC, Sudharma-swami led the Jain order for 12 years, effectively managing and propagating Mahavir's teachings. The Shvetambar tradition believes that Sudharma-swami organized Mahavir's teachings into 12 scriptures called the 12 Anga Agams, collectively known as Dvadashangi. Many of these scriptures include questions posed by Sudharma-swami's principal disciple, Jambu Swami, and Sudharma-swami's answers reflecting Mahavir's teachings.
Later Life and Nirvana: Sudharma-swami attained omniscience in 515 BC and achieved Nirvana in 507 BC at the age of 100. His principal disciple, Jambu Swami, then took over the leadership of the religious order.

The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of studying the Agams, which contain the preachings of Mahavir-swami as compiled by the Ganadhars. It acknowledges the absence of such great monks in the current era but encourages readers to learn from the scriptures passed down through generations.