Sudharmaswami

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on Sudharmaswami:

The document "Sudharmaswami" by Nandlal B Devluk, found in the "Shramana Bhagwanto" series, details the life and significance of Sudharmaswami, the fifth Ganadhara (chief disciple) and first successor to Lord Mahavir Swami in the Jain tradition.

The text begins by outlining the lineage of the Tirthankaras, with Lord Mahavir Swami being the last in this current era. It describes Mahavir's birth in 543 BCE, his renunciation at age 30, and his attainment of Kevala Jnana (omniscience) after 12.5 years of severe penance and endurance of hardships.

A pivotal moment in the text is the description of Lord Mahavir's first sermon at the Mahasen forest in Apapa Nagar (Pavapuri) on the eleventh day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh, in 501 BCE. On this same day, a wealthy Brahmin named Mil was conducting a grand Yajna (fire sacrifice) and had invited eleven renowned Brahmin scholars and their disciples. Among these scholars were the esteemed Vedic Acharya Indrabhuti Gautam, his two younger brothers Agnibhuti and Vayubhuti, and ten other prominent pandits, including Sudharma, of the Agniveshyayan gotra.

The narrative then details how these scholars, driven by a mix of curiosity and intellectual pride, were drawn to Mahavir Swami's sermon. Indrabhuti Gautam was the first to approach Mahavir. Despite his initial pride, upon encountering Mahavir's serene presence and divine aura, he was profoundly struck. Mahavir Swami, with compassionate wisdom, addressed him by name and then astutely identified a secret doubt in Gautam's heart regarding the existence of the soul. Overwhelmed by Mahavir's deep knowledge and compassionate demeanor, Indrabhuti's pride vanished. He ceased his intention for debate, received the resolution to his doubt, and, along with his 500 disciples, took initiation, becoming Mahavir Swami's first disciple and Ganadhara.

The text highlights the significant dialogue between Mahavir Swami and Gautam Swami, which forms a crucial part of the Jinagam Shastra, particularly in the Bhagavati Sutra, where over 36,000 questions and answers are recorded. Gautam Swami is described as a treasure of intellect and, due to his intense penance and meditation, a possessor of extraordinary spiritual powers (labdhis). The tradition of writing about his powers during Dipavali and listening to his "Ras" (a devotional composition) on the New Year's morning is mentioned as a long-standing practice.

The narrative then transitions to Sudharmaswami. It states that Mahavir Swami attained Nirvana on the last night of the dark fortnight of Ashadh in 417 BCE, and the very next morning, Gautam Swami attained Kevala Jnana. While nine Ganadharas attained Nirvana during Mahavir's lifetime, the text clarifies that Sudharmaswami became the successor (Pattadhar) and leader of the four-fold Jain congregation (Chaturvidh Sangha) shortly after Mahavir Swami's Nirvana and Gautam Swami's attainment of Kevala Jnana.

Sudharmaswami was born in 550 BCE in the village of Killa-gasanish in Magadh. He shared the same birth star (Uttara Phalguni) and zodiac sign (Kanya) as Lord Mahavir. His parents were Dhamma and Bhakila, and he belonged to the Agniveshyayan Brahmin lineage. He was a renowned scholar of the four Vedas, six Vedangas, and four schools of philosophy (Mimamsa, Nyaya, Darshan, and Purana), with a large following of 500 students.

The text reiterates the grand Yajna in Apapa Nagar, where Sudharma was one of the eleven prominent scholars. Upon witnessing the massive congregation, including deities in their flying vehicles, heading towards Mahavir Swami's sermon, the scholars felt a blow to their pride. Following the lead of Indrabhuti Gautam, other scholars, including Agnibhuti, Vayubhuti, and Vyakt, also approached Mahavir, and were similarly enlightened, resolving their doubts and taking initiation.

Sudharma, upon learning of this, was also compelled to confront Mahavir Swami. However, upon encountering Mahavir's compassionate gaze, he forgot his intention to debate. Mahavir Swami then addressed him, identifying his doubt: "Agniveshyayan Sudharma! You have a doubt that the soul, as it is in this life, is also as it is in the next life, is that correct?" Sudharma, in awe, confirmed this and asked for clarification. Mahavir explained that the soul's transmigration is karma-driven, and one can be reborn as a human, animal, or celestial being based on their virtues and actions, dispelling the rigid notion of a fixed reincarnation.

After receiving this profound explanation, Sudharma's intellectual pride and agitation subsided. He recognized Mahavir as the ultimate truth, took initiation with his 500 disciples, and became the fifth Ganadhara.

The text mentions that the other six scholars also approached Mahavir, had their doubts resolved, and took initiation with their disciples, becoming Ganadharas. This day, Vaishakh Suddi 11, in 501 BCE, is celebrated as the establishment day of the Tirth (Shasan) of Lord Mahavir Swami, when the first sermon led to the initiation of 11 pandits and 4400 followers, forming the Chaturvidh Sangha.

The text emphasizes the critical role of the Dvadashangi, the twelve main scriptures compiled by the eleven Ganadharas under Mahavir Swami's guidance. Each Ganadhara compiled their version of the Dvadashangi. However, as nine Ganadharas attained Nirvana before Mahavir and Gautam Swami attained Kevala Jnana shortly after Mahavir's Nirvana, Sudharmaswami became the sole custodian of the compiled scriptures. As the other Ganadharas' disciples submitted to his leadership, the study and recitation of their Dvadashangis gradually ceased. Only Sudharmaswami's Dvadashangi survived and continues to be the foundation of the current Jain tradition. The twelve Angas are listed: Achāranga, Sūtra Kr̥utanga, Sthānanga, Samavāyanga, Vyākhyā Prajñapti (Bhagavati Sutra), Jñātā Dharma Kathā, Upāsaka Daśā, Antakr̥ut Daśā, Anuttara Upapādika Daśā, Praśna Vyākaraṇa, Vipāka Śruta, and Dṛuṣhṭivāda. The Dṛuṣhṭivāda, the twelfth Anga, which included the 14 Purvas, was lost by the year 1000 of the Veer Nirvana era.

Sudharmaswami, after his initiation at age 50, traveled throughout India, spreading Mahavir Swami's message with his eloquent and persuasive teachings. Many souls, including kings, princes, ministers, and wealthy merchants, accepted Jainism and achieved self-welfare. He was a person of immense virtues: simple, gentle, pure, benevolent, devoted to truth, learned, wise, a perfect compiler, humble, a loving and intelligent guru, of pure conduct, vigilant in self-practice, a vast ocean of forgiveness, and a strict follower of the five great vows. He had a discipleship of over 3900.

The text mentions an anecdote from Acharya Malayagiri's commentary on the Avashyak Niryukti, stating that Sudharmaswami, whose other name was "Laharya" (meaning "of copper-like complexion"), was so revered that Lord Mahavir himself accepted alms from his bowl.

Three significant events in Sudharmaswami's post-initiation life are highlighted:

1. He consecrated an idol of Rishabhdev Bhagwan in a Jain temple built by King Shrenik on Kumar-Kumari mountain.
2. On the last day of Mahavir Swami's life, Sudharmaswami humbly asked when the sun of Kevala Jnana would set, which revealed that after the last Kevali, no one else would attain Kevala Jnana.
3. After Mahavir Swami's Nirvana, in Champa Nagar, the king Kanika, upon seeing the radiant Jambuswami among Sudharmaswami's disciples, inquired about his exceptional beauty and radiance, leading to a revelation of Jambuswami's previous lives.

The text concludes by stating that Sudharmaswami attained Kevala Jnana at the age of 92, 12 years after Mahavir's Nirvana (458 BCE), and established Jambuswami as his successor. After living as a Kevali for eight years, he attained Nirvana at the age of 100 in 450 BCE on Vaibharagiri in Rajagriha, after observing a month-long fast. His other disciple, Ambhaswami, also succeeded Jambuswami.

The document further elaborates on Jambuswami, the last Kevali and Mokshamargi of the current twenty-four Tirthankaras in Bharatkshetra. He was the second successor to Mahavir Swami and had meticulously studied the Dvadashangi from his guru, Sudharmaswami. Jambukumar was born 16 years before Mahavir's Nirvana in Rajagriha. His father was Ushabhdatta, a wealthy merchant, and his mother was Dharini. Dharini had a dream of a lion while pregnant, indicating the birth of a virtuous son. The child was named Jamboo, after the Jambudvipa deity whom his mother worshipped during her pregnancy. Jamboo was known for his beauty and virtues. He was deeply inspired by Sudharmaswami's sermon in the Gunasheel garden and felt a strong desire to embrace asceticism.

In essence, the text portrays Sudharmaswami as a pivotal figure in Jainism, not only as a direct disciple of Lord Mahavir but also as the crucial preserver and transmitter of the foundational scriptures (Dvadashangi), ensuring the continuity and propagation of Mahavir Swami's teachings to the present day. He is presented as a learned, virtuous, and highly respected spiritual leader who played a vital role in establishing and guiding the Jain Sangha.