Syadwad Manjari Kartu Mallishensuri Na Guru Udayprabhsuri Kon

This document is an academic article that critically examines the identity and lineage of Udayaprabhasuri, the guru of Mallisena, the author of the commentary "Syadvada Manjari."

Key points of the article:

• Mallisena's "Syadvada Manjari": The article begins by establishing the significance of Mallisena's "Syadvada Manjari" as a major philosophical commentary in the Shvetambara Jain tradition, following works by Hemachandra, Simhasuri, Abhayadevasuri, and Vadirindrasuri. Mallisena himself identifies his guru as Udayaprabhasuri and states the composition year of his work as Shaka 1214 (1292 CE).

• The prevailing view: The article notes that contemporary Jain scholars generally identify Mallisena's guru, Udayaprabhasuri, as a disciple of Vijayasenuri of the Nagendragachchha. This view is supported by numerous scholars like Mohanlal Dalichand Desai, Anandshankar Bapubhai Dhruv, Pandit Lalchand Gandhi, and others.

• The author's dissent: The author, however, finds this widely accepted conclusion questionable based on available historical evidence and logical reasoning. The core of the author's argument is that there might have been two prominent Udayaprabhasuris in the Nagendragachchha during the 13th century, possibly belonging to different branches or generations.

• Analysis of Vijayasenuri's disciple Udayaprabhasuri:

  • This Udayaprabhasuri is known for his work "Dharmabhudaya Kavya" (circa 1230-32 CE).
  • His guru, Vijayasenuri, has recorded inscriptions dating from 1209 to 1248-49 CE.
  • A disciple of this Udayaprabhasuri, Jinabhadra, composed a work in 1234 CE.
  • Considering the lifespan and scholarly output, this Udayaprabhasuri is unlikely to have been alive much later than 1265-70 CE.
  • The significant gap of 58 years between the works of this Udayaprabhasuri's supposed disciples (Jinabhadra in 1234 and Mallisena in 1292) raises doubts about Mallisena being his direct disciple.
  • Furthermore, the article questions why Mallisena wouldn't mention his illustrious grand-guru Vijayasenuri or any of his known works in his commentary if he belonged to that lineage.

• Introduction of a second Udayaprabhasuri:

  • The article posits the existence of another Udayaprabhasuri within a different, though still Nagendra, branch during the same period.
  • This second Udayaprabhasuri was a disciple of Vardhamanasuri. Vardhamanasuri himself is mentioned as having disciples, one of whom is named Udayaprabhasuri in his Guravali (genealogy).
  • This second Udayaprabhasuri would have been a generation younger than the first Udayaprabhasuri.
  • An inscription from Girnar dated 1330 CE (1274 CE) mentions an Acharya Udayaprabhasuri. The author suggests this Udayaprabhasuri is likely the disciple of Vardhamanasuri, considering the geographical movements of Vardhamanasuri's disciples and the absence of other Udayaprabhasuris at that time.
  • Another piece of evidence is a metal image from Vadodara, consecrated in 1338 CE (1282 CE) by Mahendrasuri, a disciple of "Nagendragachchhiya Udayaprabhasuri." The author argues that the Udayaprabhasuri mentioned here is more likely the disciple of Vardhamanasuri, given the dating and the caste of the patron.
  • The article presents lineage charts for both branches of the Nagendragachchha to illustrate the proposed distinction.

• Conclusion:

  • Based on the analysis, the article concludes that Mallisena, the author of "Syadvada Manjari," was likely a disciple of the second Udayaprabhasuri, the disciple of Vardhamanasuri, rather than the Udayaprabhasuri who was a disciple of Vijayasenuri.
  • Until clear and irrefutable evidence emerges to place Mallisena in the lineage of Vijayasenuri, the author argues that accepting him to be part of the Virasuri-Vardhamanasuri branch is more evidence-based, logical, and trustworthy.
  • The article also briefly addresses and refutes a mention of a Digambara acharya named Mallisena.

In essence, the article is a scholarly investigation that challenges a widely accepted historical attribution by proposing the existence of two individuals named Udayaprabhasuri and arguing for the more probable lineage of Mallisena, the author of "Syadvada Manjari."