Ramchandrasuri

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the figures of Acharya Jinachandrasuri and Acharya Ramachandrasuri:

The text, extracted from volumes 1 and 2 of "Shramana Bhagwanto," details the lives and significant contributions of two influential Jain ascetics: Acharya Jinachandrasuri and Acharya Ramachandrasuri.

Acharya Jinachandrasuri (Manidhari Acharya)

• Renowned Scholar and Influential Figure: Acharya Jinachandrasuri was a highly learned scholar who had mastered the Agamas (Jain scriptures).
• Royal Patronage: The Maharaja of Delhi, Madanpal, was deeply impressed by his profound scholarship and became his devoted follower.
• Debate Victor: He achieved widespread fame by defeating the erudite scholar Padmacharyacharya, a Chaitryavasi (a sect within Jainism), in a scriptural debate.
• The Mystic Jewel: He is known as "Manidhari Acharya" due to a miraculous jewel in his father's head. Before his death, he instructed his followers to retrieve this jewel from his head, placing it in a milk vessel, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
• Demise and Miraculous Event: Acharya Jinachandrasuri passed away in Delhi on the second day of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha, month 14, in VS 1227, after undertaking a fast unto death (Anashan). He had instructed his followers not to place his palanquin on the ground during his funeral procession. Due to oversight, the palanquin was placed down at a place called Manek Chowk. Consequently, the palanquin became immovable, forcing the cremation to take place at that very spot. This location is still known as Mehrauli today.
• Legacy: His successor was Acharya Jinapatisuri. A miraculous stupa dedicated to Manidhari Acharya Jinachandrasuri exists in Mehrauli, Delhi.

Acharya Ramachandrasuri

• Profound Scholar and Poet: Acharya Ramachandrasuri was an influential acharya and a formidable litterateur, earning the title "Kavikataramalla" (the lion among poets).
• Disciple of Hemchandracharya: His guru was the renowned "Kalikalsarvajna" (Omniscient of the Present Age) Acharya Hemchandracharya. He held a distinguished position within Hemchandracharya's disciple community.
• Designated Successor: When King Siddharaja Jaysingh inquired about Hemchandracharya's successor, Hemchandracharya identified Ramachandra as the most qualified and virtuous disciple to adorn his seat.
• Master of Problem Solving (Samasya Purti): Pandit Ramachandra Muni was a towering scholar, exceptionally skilled in completing poetic verses when presented with a partial verse (Samasya Purti).
  • Encounter with Siddharaja: Once, while King Siddharaja Jaysingh was going to a garden during summer, he met Pandit Ramachandra. After a formal greeting, the king posed a question: "Why are summer days longer?" In response, the Muni instantly composed a Sanskrit verse explaining that the king's victorious processions with fast horses, raising dust that mixed with the celestial river, caused grass to grow, which in turn slowed down the sun's horses (personified as driving the chariot of the sun), thus lengthening the day.
  • Title "Kavikataramalla": Impressed by this clever and swift composition, King Siddharaja bestowed upon him the title of "Kavikataramalla."
• Leadership of the Dhramasanga: After the demise of Acharya Hemchandracharya, the responsibility of managing the Dhramasanga (religious assembly/organization) fell upon Acharya Ramachandrasuri, for which he was exceptionally suited.
• Support to Kumarpal: King Kumarpal had immense affection for Acharya Hemchandracharya. Upon hearing of his guru's passing, Kumarpal was overcome with grief. Acharya Ramachandrasuri's support proved to be immensely comforting during that difficult period.
• Debate with Vishweshwar Kavi: During the reign of Acharya Hemchandracharya, a poet named Vishweshwar Kavi visited Patan. While blessing King Kumarpal in Hemchandracharya's discourse hall, Vishweshwar said, "May Hemgopala (referring to Hemchandracharya) protect you." King Kumarpal found this remark inappropriate as it seemed to diminish Hemchandracharya's stature. Acharya Ramachandrasuri immediately responded by composing a verse that clarified Vishweshwar's intent, stating that Hemgopala was guiding all six schools of philosophy ("shaddarshan") towards the Jain path. This quick wit and insightful response impressed King Kumarpal and embarrassed Vishweshwar Kavi.
• Early Life and Association with Siddharaja: Acharya Ramachandrasuri met Siddharaja Jaysingh in his ascetic (muni) phase after Siddharaja's victory in Malwa in VS 1181. Siddharaja passed away before the end of the 12th century Vikram.
• Literary Contributions:
  • He was a prolific writer specializing in single-theme poems (Dwatrishika stotras) and was a master of various literary devices.
  • He was also a distinguished playwright, composing eleven of the approximately twenty-four dramas popular in Gujarat at the time.
  • Notable works include "Nachana," "Kumari Vihar Shatak," and "Dvyalankar Granth."
  • Natya Darpan: His treatise on dramaturgy, "Natya Darpan," provided fresh perspectives on plays, their types, and the portrayal of emotions. His insights were considered more original than those in Bharata's "Natya Shastra." This work quotes over forty plays and mentions both available and unavailable Sanskrit dramas. It includes excerpts from Vishakhadatta's lost play "Devi Chandragupta," offering historical insights into the Gupta period.
  • He also mentioned eleven plays by his father, including "Satyaharishchandra Natak" (which has been translated into Italian), "Nalvilas" (a seven-act play based on the Mahabharata), "Mallikamakaranda" (a social comedy with a fictional plot), "Kaumudi Mitranand" (a social drama with ten acts), and "Raghuvilasa" (an eight-act play based on the Ramayana).
  • Other works mentioned include "Nirbhay Bhim Vyayog" (based on the Mahabharata), "Hiranimrugank," "Raghvakudaya," "Yadavaudaya," and "Vanamala" (these last four are unavailable). "Sudhakalash" is considered a collection of wise sayings.
• Literary Acumen: He was praised for his ability to offer thorough critiques of secular subjects. A verse quoted states that while other "Prabandhas" (narrative compositions) lose their flavor over time, Ramachandra's compositions become more delicious with each reading.
• Dvyalankarvritti: This work, based on logic and doctrine, is mentioned in "Syadvada Manjari." The colophon of its publication mentions Muni Ramachandra and Muni Gunachandra, indicating their close friendship. The epithet "Prabandha Shatak" suggests he composed a hundred works or a work of that name. His compositions demonstrate his expertise in logic, epistemology, poetics, and grammar, with a particular depth of knowledge in dramaturgy.
• Martyrdom: While the details of his lay life are not fully known, it is suggested that he was born in VS 1145, took initiation in VS 1166, became an acharya in VS 1229, and passed away in VS 1230. His death is attributed to a conspiracy by Ajaypal, Kumarpal's nephew and a friend of Balchandra Muni, who desired to ascend Hemchandracharya's seat. Due to Ramachandrasuri's opposition to this, a conflict arose. On the king's orders, Acharya Ramachandrasuri was made to sit on a heated copper plate, leading to his demise. This act of sacrificing himself to uphold his guru's teachings is etched in Jain history as an immortal saga of Acharya Ramachandrasuri.

Acharya Aryarakshit Surishwarji Maharaj

• Founder of the Achalgachha: Acharya Aryarakshit Suri was a proponent of the "Suvihitmargi" tradition and the founder of the Achalgachha. He is distinct from the earlier Aryarakshit Suri, the author of "Darshanadi Anugana."
• Guru Lineage: His guru was Acharya Simhasuri of the Nanalgachha (the 46th pontiff of Vadgachha). His lineage included Acharyas like Dharmachandrasuri, Gunasamudrasuri, Vijayaprabhasuri, Narachandrasuri, and Virachandrasuri. The Nanalgachha originated from Prabhanandasuri.
• Birth and Initiation: Acharya Aryarakshit belonged to the Pragvata (Piravad) gotra. His parents were Drona and Dedi. He was born in the village of Dantani near Abu on the 9th day of Shravana Shukla Paksha in VS 1136. His worldly name was Vyaja (Godkumar).
• Devotion of Parents: His parents were deeply devoted to Jainism. When Acharya Jaisurishuri visited Dantani, the merchant Drona devoted his son to the guru.
• Muniship and Acharya-pada: Acharya Jaisurishuri took Vyaja to Khambhat and granted him monastic initiation on the 8th day of Vaishakha Shukla Paksha in VS 1142, naming him Muni Vijayachandra. Muni Vijayachandra received knowledge of the Agamas from Acharya Jaisurishuri and studied mantra and tantra with Yati Ramachandra. His guru conferred the Acharya-pada upon him in Patan on the 3rd day of Magha Shukla Paksha in VS 1150, proclaiming him as Acharya Aryarakshit Suri.
• Concern for Monastic Discipline: While studying the Agamas, he observed a decline in monastic discipline. With his guru's permission, he sought guidance from his maternal uncle, Muni Shreshthipala.