Malayagirisuri

This document summarizes the life and literary contributions of Acharya Malayagiri, a prominent commentator in the Shvetambara tradition of Jainism.

Key Information about Acharya Malayagiri:

• Renowned Commentator: Acharya Malayagiri is recognized as a significant and influential commentator of Jain scriptures.
• Limited Personal Information: His guru lineage, early life, or details about his ascetic life are not explicitly mentioned in his works.
• Title of Acharya: His use of the title "Acharya" at the beginning of his commentary on the grammar text "Shabdānushāsan" (also known as "Muṣṭi Vyākaraṇ") indicates his respected position.
• Legendary Association with Acharya Hemachandra: According to the "Kumārapālaprabandha" by Jinmandan Gani, Acharya Hemachandra, along with Devendra and Muni Malayagiri, embarked on a journey to Gaudadesha for advanced spiritual practice. During this journey, they performed sadhana at the Rewatavatara Tirth, where the deity Vimaleshwara appeared and granted them boons. Malayagiri's boon was the ability to compose commentaries on Jain Agamas (scriptures).
• Motivation for Writing: Malayagiri's commentaries were driven by a desire for the welfare of all beings. He wished that the benefits derived from his writings would enable all living creatures to attain the seed of liberation and achieve self-welfare and moksha (salvation).
• Intellectual Prowess and Creativity: He was highly intelligent, knowledgeable, and possessed exceptional creative ability.
• Extensive Literary Output: Malayagiri authored numerous commentaries on Jain scriptures, amounting to thousands of verses. He also wrote original works. His commentaries are known for their depth, touching upon the root sutras and offering original insights where necessary.
• Catalogued Works: The "Brihad Jain Sahitya Itihas" (Great History of Jain Literature) lists 25 of his commentaries and one original work, "Muṣṭi Vyākaraṇ" (Shabdānushāsan).
• Available Works: Out of the 25 mentioned commentaries, 19 are currently available. The total verse count of the available commentaries is 1,91,612.

Notable Commentaries and Their Significance:

The document lists and briefly describes several of Malayagiri's key commentaries:

• Bhagavati Sūtra (Bhagavati Sutra) Commentaries: Commentaries on the second and twentieth chapters (shatak) of the Bhagavati Sutra.
• Rāyapaseṇī Sūtra (Rayapraseniya Sutra) Commentary: A commentary on this Upanga, totaling 3700 verses.
• Jīvājuvābhiagam Sūtra (Jivajivabhigama Sutra) Commentary: A commentary on this Upanga, comprising 13,000 verses. It mentions ancient texts and authors, making it historically significant.
• Paññavaṇā Sūtra (Prajñāpana Sutra) Commentary: A commentary on this Sutra, with 16,000 verses. It builds upon Acharya Haribhadra Suri's commentary and is concise, with expansions where needed.
• Sūrapatti (Surya Prajñapti) Commentary: A commentary on this Upanga, of 9000 verses. It was composed because Acharya Haribhadra Suri's niyukti (short explanatory text) was lost due to the passage of time. It is valuable for understanding Jain astrology.
• Nandī Sūtra (Nandi Sutra) Commentary: A commentary of 7735 verses. It salutes the churnikara (another type of commentator) and remembers Acharya Haribhadra Suri. It is useful for understanding various Jain philosophical beliefs and includes Sanskrit-Prakrit citations and narratives. The commentary's merit is dedicated to the welfare of the world.
• Vyavahāra Sūtra Commentary: This is the largest commentary by Malayagiri, with 33,250 verses. It is based on the Niyukti, Bhashya, and original sutras. It includes an extensive introduction discussing five types of Vyavahāras, the definitions of Gita and Agita, and the classification of penances.
• Tiṣkaraṇḍak (Īshkaraṇḍaya) Commentary: A commentary on a Prakirṇaka text, focusing on temporal knowledge. It provides detailed accounts of the Vallabhi and Mathura recensions and humbly requests scholars to correct any inaccuracies.
• Piṇḍaniyukti Commentary: Based on the Piṇḍaniyukti by Acharya Bhadrabahu, this commentary pertains to the fifth chapter of the Dashavaikālika Sūtra.
• Āvashyaka (Āvaśyaka Sūtra) Commentary: A commentary on the Āvashyaka Niyukti, intended for less intelligent students. It utilizes Bhashya verses and narratives to clarify the subject matter. It is currently found to be incomplete.
• Brihadkalpa Piṭhikā (Mahākalpa Sūtra) Commentary: Based on the niyukti and bhashya verses of Bhadrabahu Swami and Sanghadasgani, respectively. It also uses Prakrit narratives. This commentary by Malayagiri is incomplete and was finished by Acharya Kshemakirti Suri. He praised the churnikara as a lamp in darkness.
• Muṣṭi Vyākaraṇ (Shabdānushāsan): A grammar text of 3000 verses, composed during the reign of Kumārapāl. It shares many similarities with Acharya Hemachandra Suri's Siddha Hema Shabdānushāsan.
• Other Mentioned Works: The document also mentions commentaries on "Panchasangraha" by Chandraprabha Mahattara, "Karma Prakṛti," "Haribhadriya Dharma Sangrahaṇī," "Saptatikā," and others, noting their philosophical discussions. It also refers to commentaries on "Jambūdvīpa Prajñapti," "Ghaniyukti," "Viśeṣāvaśyaka Tattvādhigama," "Dharmasāra Prakaraṇa," and "Devendra-Narakaśentra Prakaraṇa," which are not currently available.

Time Period:

Acharya Malayagiri was a contemporary of Acharya Hemachandra Suri, who passed away in V.S. 1229 at the age of 84. This places Malayagiri's lifetime in the 12th-13th century of the Vikram era.

Mention of Manidhari Jinachandrasuri:

The latter part of the document shifts focus to Manidhari Jinachandrasuri, also known as "Bada Dada," a prominent figure in the Kharatara Gachchha. It details his birth, initiation, precocious rise to the position of Suri at the age of 8, and his leadership of the Gachchha after the passing of Jinadattasuri. His renown and significant influence on Jainism are highlighted. However, this section appears to be a separate biographical note rather than directly about Malayagiri, though it mentions a connection through the broader context of influential Jain Acharyas.