Jinbhadragani

This document focuses on the lives and contributions of two significant Jain scholars: Acharya Mallavadi and Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana.

Acharya Mallavadi:

• He authored the monumental Sanskrit work "Dvadashar Nayachakra" (Twelvefold Cycle of Nayavadas).
• This text is a comprehensive collection of 700 Nayas (perspectives or standpoints) and provides a deep analysis and critique of various philosophical opinions from ancient times up to his own era.
• The Dvadashar Nayachakra is considered a unique and unparalleled work in Sanskrit for its critique of Nayavada and Syadvada philosophy.
• The original text is no longer available in its entirety. It was known to exist until the time of Acharya Chandrasena Suri (guru-brother of Acharya Hemachandra Suri) but disappeared before VS 1334.
• However, a 18,000-verse Sanskrit commentary called "Nayachakravati" or "Nyayagamanusarini" by Acharya Simhasurigan Vadi Kshamasramana exists, and Mahesh Yashovijayji prepared an ideal text from it.
• The text's significance and the author's analytical prowess are evident from these surviving works.
• More recently, Shri Jammuvijayji Maharaj has extensively researched and illuminated the Dvadashar Nayachakra, producing a commendable work.
• Mallavadi's elder brother, Muni Ajitayasha Vadi Shrichandra, was inspired to write a treatise on "Pramana" (means of knowledge), and his middle brother, Yakshamuni, composed a text on "Ashtanganimitta" (eightfold prognostication). These works are also currently unavailable.
• Acharya Haribhadra Suri quoted extensively from Mallavadi's work "Sanmatit" in his own "Anekant Jayapataka," confirming that Mallavadi preceded Haribhadra Suri.
• Based on Mallavadi Suri's debate with Buddhists in VS 414 (884 Veer Nirvana era), he is believed to have lived in the 9th century of the Veer Nirvana era (5th century of Vikram era).

Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana:

• He is renowned as an "Agamaharak" (restorer of scriptures) and a "Prakhar Bhashyakara" (eminent commentator).
• He was a great scholar ("Mahashrutadhar") with profound faith and devotion towards the scriptural teachings (Agamas). His thinking was not independent but deeply rooted in the Agamas.
• Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana prioritized the Agamas, using them as a basis for his reasoning about what is valid and invalid. He is a notable figure in the lineage of scholars who nourished the Agam tradition.
• While Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana did not mention his guru lineage in his father's work, inscriptions on two statues found in Akkattak village mention Acharya Jinvader of the Nivruttikula. This mention appears to be connected to the commentator Jinvaderani.
• Jinvaderani is primarily known as a "Kshamasramana" but also used titles like "Vachak-kshamasramana." Based on the statue inscriptions, he is confirmed to belong to the Nivruttikula, which is associated with Nivritti, a disciple of Aryavasa Suri. This suggests Jinvaderani belonged to the tradition of Aryasuhasti Suri and was a proponent of the "Vajra-shastra" (diamond scriptures).
• A manuscript of his "Visheshavasthaka Bhashya" (Commentary on Special Avashyaka) was found in the Jain Bhandar of Vallabhi, written in Shak Samvat 531. This suggests a connection with Vallabhi. A manuscript from the Jaisalmer Bhandar of the same work also mentions the city of Vallabhi.
• Acharya Siddhasena Gani, the author of the commentary on Jivakalpa ("Jivakalpa Churnikara"), praised Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana in eight verses, highlighting him as:
  • A holder of the Agamas.
  • A "Yugapradhana" (leader of the era).
  • A chief among the learned.
  • A specialist in understanding the nuances of perception and knowledge.
  • One whose teachings attracted muni-disciples like bees to a lotus.
  • One whose lectures on various subjects, including his own and others' doctrines, brought him fame in all directions.
  • One who, through his father's intellect, compiled the essence of the Agamas in the Visheshavasthaka Bhashya.
  • The creator of "Jitasutra," which details the rituals and procedures for penance based on the Chedasutras.
  • A distinguished personality, an Agam scholar, self-controlled, and a leader among Kshamasramanas.
• The text clarifies the order of scriptural exegesis: after "Niryukti" (introductory commentary) comes "Bhashya" (detailed commentary). Like Niryukti, Bhashya is in Prakrit verse. Bhashya clarifies the meaning more than Niryukti, which was created to explain the recondite meanings of the Agamas and the technical terms within them.
• Currently, two major commentators are known: Sanghadassagani and Jinvaderani Kshamashramana. There are also commentators for the Vyavahara Bhashya and Brihatkalpa Brihad Bhashya.
• Bhashyas are composed based on Niryuktis, and some are also based on the Mulasutras (original texts). Bhashyas were written on Agam texts such as Avashyaka, Dashavaikalika, Uttaradhyayana, Brihatkalpa, Panchakalpa, Vyavahara, Nishitha, Jitasutra, GhaNiryukti, and Pindaniryukti.
• Sanghadassagani authored two Bhashyas: "Brihatkalpa Laghubhashya" and "Panchakalpa Mahabhashya."
• Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana is described as a significant commentator, holding a crucial position among them, and praised by later scholars with numerous epithets.
• He authored nine works:
  1. Visheshavasthaka Bhashya
  2. Visheshavasthaka Bhashya Teeka (incomplete)
  3. Brihatsangrahani
  4. Brihat-kshetrasamas
  5. Sabhakhyavishashanavadi
  6. Nishitha Bhashya
  7. Jitasutra Bhashya
  8. Anugadvarachurni (prose)
  9. Dhyana Shataka
• His Visheshavasthaka Bhashya is in Prakrit, and he began a Sanskrit commentary on it. His commentary on the teachings of the sixth Ganadhara was interrupted by his death. Acharya Kettya completed the remaining commentary, which was approximately 13,700 verses long.
• Acharya Jinvaderani Kshamashramana was born in VS 1011 (Veer Nirvana era), attained the title of Yugapradhana in VS 1025, and passed away in VS 1115 at the age of 104.

The text also briefly introduces Acharya Mantunga Suri, the composer of the widely revered "Bhaktamara Stotra" and "Namiun Stotra." He is credited with spreading Jainism through his mantra-infused hymns and protecting the Sangha. Mantunga Suri is noted to have received monastic initiation from both the Svetambara and Digambara traditions, with Sri Jinsinha Suri being his Svetambara guru and Charukirti his Digambara guru. He was born in Varanasi to Dhanadeva and was influenced by Jain monks, ultimately taking diksha under Acharya Charukirti. While in his monastic life (named Mahakirti), he visited his sister's home in Varanasi. His sister, who followed the Svetambara tradition, described the Svetambara monastic practices to him, which inspired him to explore the "true path."