Mallavadisuri

This text, titled "Mallavadisuri" by Nandlal B Devluk, is a biographical account of the renowned Jain Acharya Mallavadisuri. It is presented as part of a larger work, "Shramana Bhagwanto," and is available through the JainQQ.org catalog. The text highlights Mallavadisuri's profound knowledge, his mastery of logic and nayas (standpoints or perspectives), and his unparalleled skill in debate.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided pages:

Page 1: Introduction and Early Life

• Core Identity: Acharya Mallavadisuri is described as a brilliant scholar, a luminary in the fields of logic and nayas, and an unmatched debater.
• Acclaim: Acharya Hemchandrasuri, known as the "Kālikālasarvajña" (all-knowing of the present age), praised Mallavadisuri as a "Tarkashironmani" (foremost in logic) in his work "Siddha-Haima-Shabdānushasana."
• Historical Collaboration: Mallavadisuri played a significant role in the fourth compilation of Jain scriptures (āgama vāchanā) in Valabhi, led by Acharya Nāgārjunasuri.
• Birth and Family: According to the "Prabhāvaka Charitra," Mallavadisuri was born in Valabhi, which was then the capital of Saurashtra. His mother was Durlabhadevi, and he had two elder brothers, Jinyash and Yaksha. His guru and maternal uncle was Acharya Jinānandasuri.
• Royal Connections: The "Prabandha Chintamani" states that Durlabhadevi was the sister of King Shiladitya of Valabhi, making Mallavadisuri his nephew.
• Gachha Lineage: Other accounts suggest Mallavadisuri was an Acharya of the Nāgendragachha, and that the Mahuvadigachha, with its seats in places like Panchasar, Patan, and Thambhana (Khambhat), originated from him. Many other prominent figures named Mallavadisuri followed in this lineage.
• Devotion of Family: Mallavadisuri's family was deeply devoted to Jainism, with his mother Durlabhadevi being a devout follower.
• Renunciation: His maternal uncle, Acharya Jinānandasuri, was forced to leave Bharuch after being defeated in a debate with the Buddhist monk Nand. He then came to Valabhi, where he delivered a discourse that inspired Durlabhadevi and her three sons to renounce worldly life and take initiation from him. All three brothers became learned scholars, with Mallamuni being the most brilliant.

Page 2: The "Nayachakra" and Divine Intervention

• The "Nayachakra" Text: Acharya Jinānandasuri possessed a significant text called "Nayachakra," which was derived from the fifth Purva (ancient Jain scripture) known as "Jnana-Pravada." This text was to be studied with great care and adherence to specific rules.
• The Prohibition: Fearing that Mallamuni's youthful curiosity might lead him to misinterpret the complex "Nayachakra," Acharya Jinānandasuri, before embarking on a pilgrimage, strictly forbade Mallamuni from studying it, warning of potential adverse consequences.
• Temptation and Transgression: Driven by an innate curiosity towards the forbidden, Mallamuni, despite his guru's warning, secretly began to study the "Nayachakra." He read the first verse, which states that anything other than the prescribed method is meaningless and that non-Jain teachings are false.
• Theft by the Goddess: As Mallamuni was trying to understand the verse, the Shasanadevi (guardian goddess of the religion) appeared, snatched the book, and disappeared. This caused distress to Mallamuni and concern throughout the monastic community.
• Penance and Revelation: Overcome with remorse, Mallamuni retreated to a mountain cave and began intense penance, observing fasts and consuming austere food. His rigorous practices pleased the goddess, who appeared and tested him. Upon passing the test, the goddess revealed that while she could not return the book, Mallamuni could understand the entire meaning of "Nayachakra" based on the single verse he had read.
• Composition of the "Dvadashara Nayachakra": Empowered by this divine revelation, Mallamuni began composing a new "Nayachakra" based on the one verse, creating a work of ten thousand verses. This monumental work came to be known as the "Dvadashara Nayachakra."
• Recognition and Ordination: The king and the community celebrated the completion of the "Dvadashara Nayachakra" with great fanfare, honoring Mallamuni. Subsequently, upon Acharya Jinānandasuri's return, he recognized Mallamuni's spiritual maturity and conferred upon him the title of Acharya.

Page 3: Debates and Scholarship

• Reclaiming Prestige: Recalling the past defeat of his guru, Acharya Jinānandasuri, by the Buddhist monk Nand in Bharuch, Mallavadisuri resolved to restore the honor of Jainism and his guru. He journeyed to Bharuch and challenged Nand to a debate in the royal court.
• Victory in Bharuch: The debate, based on the principles of "Nayachakra," lasted for six months, culminating in Mallavadisuri's decisive victory. This restored the prestige of Jainism. The king, impressed by his prowess, bestowed upon him the title "Ajeyavadi" (invincible debater) and ordered Nand to leave Bharuch. However, the compassionate Mallavadisuri interceded on Nand's behalf, asking the king to withdraw the order. Acharya Jinānandasuri, upon hearing of this triumph, came to Bharuch with his followers and honored Mallavadisuri, confirming his leadership of the lineage.
• Alternative Account of the Bharuch Debate: The "Prabandha Chintamani" offers a different account, stating that the debate with the Buddhists took place in Valabhi, in the court of King Shiladitya. It also mentions that Mallavadisuri learned of his guru's defeat from his mother, Durlabhadevi.
• Vow and Further Penance: Upon learning that the sacred pilgrimage site of Shatrunjaya was under Buddhist control, Mallavadisuri took a solemn vow to uproot Buddhism or be consumed by the sin of destroying the teachings of the omniscient. He performed severe penance in a cave, where the goddess reappeared, tested his intellect, and granted him the boon of becoming a "conqueror of other doctrines."
• Victory in Valabhi: Armed with this divine blessing and his mastery of logic, Mallavadisuri engaged in a debate with the Buddhist monk Nand in Valabhi and emerged victorious. This debate, according to the "Vijayavsimhasuri Prabandha," occurred in the year 884 of the Vir Nirvana era (414 CE).
• Literary Contributions: Acharya Mallavadisuri was not only a skilled debater but also a prolific writer. His known works include:
  1. Dvadashara Nayachakra
  2. Padmacharita (24,000 verses)
  3. Commentary on Sanmatitarka Of these, only the Dvadashara Nayachakra is currently available.
• "Dvadashara Nayachakra" - Structure and Significance: The Nayachakra Shastra is divided into 13 sections. The first 12 sections describe the 12 nayas (standpoints) that arise from principles and regulations, hence the name "Dvadashara Nayachakra" (Twelve-spoked Nayachakra). The 13th section discusses the synthesis of these 12 nayas, leading to the concept of Syadvada (conditional predication). This work is comparable to the "Saptashatarachakra," which compiled 700 nayas. Mallavadisuri's treatise provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of various philosophical viewpoints from ancient times up to his era. It is a unique and invaluable work in Sanskrit on the philosophies of naya and syadvada.
• Disappearance and Commentary: The original text of the Dvadashara Nayachakra is no longer available. It was known to exist until the time of Acharya Chandrasuri. It disappeared before 1334 CE. However, a Sanskrit commentary (churṇi-ṭīkā) of 18,000 verses, titled "Nayachakravāla" or "Nyāyamānusāriṇī," was composed by Acharya Simhasūri Ganivādi Kshamaśramaṇa. This commentary, with an ideal text prepared by Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayji, provides insight into the book's importance and the author's debating prowess. The present work by Mahamahopadhyaya Shri Ambūvijayji Maharaj sheds further light on the "Dvadashara Nayachakra."
• Brothers' Works: Mallavadisuri's elder brother, Ajitśekhara, inspired by Shrichandra, composed a text on logic, while his middle brother, Yakshamuni, wrote the "Ashtanganimittadhani Samhita."
• Influence on Haribhadrasuri: Acharya Haribhadrasuri quoted extensively from Mallavadisuri's commentary on Sanmatitarka in his work "Anekantha Jayapataka," establishing that Mallavadisuri predated him.
• Dating: Based on his debate with the Buddhists in 884 Vir Nirvana era (414 CE), Acharya Mallavadisuri is believed to have lived in the 9th century of the Vir Nirvana era (5th century CE).

Page 4: (Continuation of Page 3, discussing further scholars and works)

• The text mentions Acharya Jinabhadra Gani Kshamaśramaṇa, known as the "Āgama Dhārak" (upholder of scriptures) and "Prakhara Bhāśyakār" (great commentator). He is described as a profoundly learned scholar with deep faith and devotion to the scriptures, whose thought process was rooted in the āgamas. He is recognized as a significant figure in the tradition of those who upheld the scriptural lineage.

In essence, this document presents Acharya Mallavadisuri as a pivotal figure in Jain intellectual history, celebrated for his profound understanding of logic and nayas, his masterful debating skills that defended and restored the prestige of Jainism, and his seminal contribution to Jain literature with the Dvadashara Nayachakra. His life story is interwoven with divine intervention, rigorous penance, and intellectual triumph.