Vajraswamisuri

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the lives and achievements of the highlighted Acharyas:

The text introduces two prominent Jain Acharyas: Acharya Padaliptasuri and Acharya Vajraswami Suri.

Acharya Padaliptasuri:

• The narrative begins by describing the court of King Shatavahana, where four poets presented a verse summarizing different philosophical viewpoints: of Rishi Atreya (devotion when hungry), Kapila (compassion for all beings), Brihaspati (no trust in anyone), and Panchala (gentle interaction with women).
• While the court praised the poets, a courtesan named Bhagavati remained silent. When questioned by the king, she stated that she only praises scholars like Acharya Padaliptasuri, who possesses the "Akashgamini Vidya" (the ability to travel through the sky) and is the most knowledgeable person in the world.
• King Shatavahana, impressed by Bhagavati's words, invited Acharya Padaliptasuri to his court. Acharya Padaliptasuri, upon invitation, arrived in Pratishthanpur, where the king accorded him a grand welcome.
• The text lists the literary works of Acharya Padaliptasuri, including "Tarangavai" (Tarangavati Katha), "Jain Nityakram Diksha," "Pratishtha Paddhati," "Nirvanakalika" on sculpture, and "Prashna Prakash."
• His guru was Acharya Nagahasti, whose lifespan is estimated from Veer Nirvana Samvat 281 to 689. Acharya Padaliptasuri was appointed Acharya at the young age of 10 by Acharya Nagahasti. This places Acharya Padaliptasuri's time in the latter half of the seventh century. He attained salvation (swargavas) at Shatrunjay Tirth after observing a fast for 32 days.

Acharya Vajraswami Suri:

• Acharya Vajraswami Suri is described as a "Labdhiprabhava Yugpradhan" (a leader of the era endowed with spiritual powers) and the last of the ten Purvadhar (those who possess knowledge of the ancient scriptures).
• His story begins in the prosperous city of Tambuvan in Avanti (Malwa). Dhanasheth had a son named Dhanagiri, renowned for his beauty and detachment from worldly pleasures. Dhanagiri was disinclined to marry.
• In the same city lived Dhanpal, a businessman with a son, Samita, and a daughter, Sunanda. Samita had taken initiation from Acharya Singhgiri Suri. Dhanpal, seeing his daughter Sunanda come of age, chose Dhanagiri as her husband. Despite Dhanagiri's initial reluctance due to his detachment, he eventually accepted Sunanda due to Dhanpal's insistence.
• The text then recounts a celestial event: a god who had studied the "Pundrik-Kandrik Adhyayan" under Shri Gautam Swami on Ashtapad mountain, after completing his lifespan, was reborn in Sunanda's womb. This god, influenced by his previous life's devotion to the study and to Gautam Swami, was destined for a life of renunciation.
• Upon the birth of his son, Dhanagiri, seeing his wife content with the child, sought permission from his guru, Acharya Singhgiri, to take diksha. He received initiation and began practicing severe austerities with constant joy.
• Sunanda gave birth to a son. Hearing the word "diksha" in a celebratory remark, the child gained jati smaran jnan (recollection of past lives) and realized the spiritual significance of his father's renunciation, understanding that his own salvation lay in self-control.
• Six months later, Acharya Singhgiri arrived in the city. Dhanagiri, while on his alms round, was instructed by his guru to accept whatever he received without discrimination, based on a bird's call. Following this, Dhanagiri, accompanied by his brother-in-law Samitimuni, went to Sunanda's house.
• Sunanda, distressed by her son's crying, asked Dhanagiri to take the child. Dhanagiri agreed but emphasized the need for witnesses to prevent future disputes, securing her agreement that her brother Samita and her friends would be witnesses.
• Dhanagiri then presented the calmed child to Sunanda, placed him in his father's (Dhanagiri's) begging bowl, and returned to his guru. The guru, recognizing the child and recalling a previous pronouncement, named him "Vajra" and placed him in the care of female ascetics.
• The female ascetics lovingly raised Vajra. Due to his extensive past life study of the Pundrik-Kandrik Adhyayan, he quickly learned the eleven angas of Jain scriptures simply by listening to the nuns recite them. Sunanda, upon seeing him, wished to reclaim her son, but the nuns explained that he was a trust from the guru, and she could care for him there but not take him away without the guru's permission.
• When Acharya Singhgiri and Dhanagiri returned, Sunanda pleaded for her son. Dhanagiri reminded her of the witnesses and the importance of a virtuous vow, but Sunanda remained insistent. The community leaders tried to pacify her, but she appealed to the king.
• The king summoned the Acharya and the community leaders to understand the situation. Ultimately, he decreed that the child should go with whomever he wished, avoiding further conflict.
• Sunanda tried to lure the child with toys and sweets, but he remained with his father. When asked by the king, Dhanagiri presented the rajoharan (a broom made of wool used by monks) to the child, explaining its purpose in removing karmic dust. The child, recognizing the significance, eagerly took the rajoharan, symbolizing his acceptance of the ascetic path.
• At the age of eight, Vajra received initiation from Acharya Singhgiri. He was already endowed with spiritual predispositions, knowledge, and detachment. He excelled in self-control, knowledge, renunciation, and asceticism, overcoming challenges with dignity. Sunanda, seeing her brother, husband, and son embrace the monastic life, also decided to take initiation.
• During their travels, Acharya Singhgiri tested Vajra by creating a magical illusion of a rainy forest with peacock calls and river sounds. To prevent harm to even the smallest creatures, the Acharya and his disciples took shelter in a cave. When the illusion persisted, the monks undertook a fast.
• After the illusion subsided, gods appeared as lay followers and requested them to break their fast. Vajra, while on his alms round, was astonished by what he saw, realizing that these were not ordinary humans but divine beings. As divine food is not permissible, he informed the gods of the truth. Pleased, the gods revealed themselves and granted Vajra the Vaikriya Labdhi (power to assume different forms). The next year, they again offered him food, but Vajra, using his knowledge, recognized them and abstained. The gods, impressed, bestowed upon him the "Akashgamini Vidya."
• One day, while the Acharya and other monks were away, Vajra meticulously arranged the vitiana (items used for alms) of all the monks and began reciting the scriptures from memory. Acharya Singhgiri heard him and was greatly pleased by the child monk's dedication and scholarship. To test him further without causing him distress, he announced his departure. The other monks asked who would teach them, and the Acharya replied that Vajra would. This was met with great reverence and acceptance by the other monks, highlighting Vajra's virtue and humility.
• The Acharya later returned, and the monks conveyed their immense satisfaction with Vajra's teaching, wishing him to be their permanent teacher. The Acharya revealed that he had traveled to gauge the monks' appreciation for Vajra's qualities.
• Vajra, having mastered the Agamas through study and penance, was then sent by his guru to Avanti to learn the remaining Dash Purva from Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri. Acharya Bhadra Guptasuri had foreseen his arrival through a dream where a guest drank from his milk-filled vessel, signifying the arrival of someone who would learn the Dash Purva. Vajra diligently studied under him and returned to his guru.
• Acharya Singhgiri, recognizing Vajra's comprehensive knowledge and worthiness, appointed him Acharya, entrusting him with the leadership of the Gachha (sect). He then passed away peacefully after observing a fast. Vajra then assumed the mantle of Acharya Vajraswami, becoming the leader of the era.

Key Achievements and Events of Acharya Vajraswami Suri:

• Impactful Preaching: Acharya Vajraswami traveled extensively, captivating both Jains and non-Jains with his influential preaching style.
• Example of Renunciation: The story of Rukmani, a wealthy merchant's daughter, highlights Vajraswami's unwavering commitment to asceticism. She fell in love with him and vowed to marry him or remain celibate. Despite her father's immense offer of wealth and his daughter, Vajraswami gently refused, explaining the value of renunciation and ultimately guiding Rukmani to take initiation.
• Drought Relief: During a severe drought, the Jain community appealed to Acharya Vajraswami for help. Using his Akashgamini Vidya, he transported the entire community to a prosperous land, saving them from hardship.
• Miracle During Paryushan: When a Buddhist king prohibited the worship of idols during the Paryushan festival, Vajraswami miraculously brought a thousand-petaled lotus from Lakshmi Devi and, with the help of gods, created a spectacular display that converted the king to Jainism.
• Testing and Final Fast: Towards the end of his life, sensing impending famine and his own declining lifespan, Vajraswami guided his disciples through severe trials. He instructed them to sustain themselves with vidya-pinda (food sustained by spiritual knowledge) for twelve years, and when this became unsustainable, they undertook a fast on a mountain. Despite a divine attempt to deter them, Acharya Vajraswami and his disciples ultimately achieved salvation through this final fast. The text mentions that his lifespan was 88 years, with 36 years spent as a Yugpradhan.

The text concludes by introducing Acharya Aryarakshitasuri as a Yugprabhava (influential leader of the era) who helped in the propagation of the Agamas divided into four anuyogas. His early life, education in Vedas, and his initial regret over his mother's lack of satisfaction with his worldly knowledge, setting the stage for his later spiritual pursuits.