Vijaysensuri

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on Acharya Vijayansuri and briefly touching on Acharya Vijaydevsuri as they are linked:

The text introduces Acharya Vijayansuri as a highly influential, learned, eloquent, impactful, and exceptionally beneficial spiritual leader within the Tapa Gachha lineage of Jainism.

Key details about Acharya Vijayansuri:

• Lineage: He was a disciple and successor (Pattadhar) of Acharya Hiravijaysuri. His initiating guru was Acharya Vijaydevsuri.
• Birth: Born in Vikram Samvat (V.S.) 1604 (corresponding to approximately 1547 CE) in Nadlai (Marwar). His parents were Karmashah and Kedamde. His paternal grandfather's name was Jaisingh.
• Early Life and Diksha (Initiation): His father, Karmashah, took initiation in V.S. 1811 (approx. 1754 CE) from Acharya Vijaysuri, becoming Muni Kamalvijay and a disciple of Hiravijaysuri. His mother, Kadelade, also desired initiation, but due to their son Jaysinh being under eight years old, they stayed with his paternal uncle Jayat in Pali. In V.S. 1913 (approx. 1856 CE) in Surat, both his mother and son Jaysinh took initiation from Acharya Vijaysuri. His mother became Sadhvi Kalyanashriji, and his son became Muni Jayavimal. Muni Jayavimal was then sent to Patan to study under Acharya Hiravijaysuri, his guru, where he deeply studied grammar, literature, logic, and Jain scriptures.
• Elevation to Panyas and Acharya: Acharya Vijaydevsuri granted him the title of Panyas in V.S. 1926 (approx. 1869 CE) in Khambhat. In V.S. 1928 (approx. 1871 CE), during a festival hosted by the merchant Mula Seth in Ahmedabad, he was bestowed the title of Acharya, and his name became Acharya Vijayansuri.
• Qualities and Influence: He inherited many qualities from his master, Hiravijaysuri, and was nearly as capable and influential as his own guru.
• Debate: In V.S. 1932 (approx. 1875 CE) during his Chaturmas (a four-month monastic retreat) in Surat, he defeated a Digambar Bhattarak (a high-ranking monk of the Digambar tradition) in a debate.
• Responsibility during Akbar's Reign: When Acharya Hiravijaysuri was at Fatehpur Sikri at the invitation of Emperor Akbar, Acharya Vijayansuri took charge of the Gachha (monastic order) and diligently worked for its progress in Gujarat for about four years.
• Imperial Summon: Emperor Akbar, at the request of Hiravijaysuri, had promised to send Vijayansuri to Lahore. After three years, Akbar wrote to Hiravijaysuri requesting Vijayansuri to be sent to Lahore.
• Travels and Imperial Impact: Following his guru's command in V.S. 1949 (approx. 1892 CE), Acharya Vijayansuri traveled from Radhanpur through various significant cities and pilgrimage sites, including Patan, Abu, Sirohi, Ranakpur, Nadlai, Viratnagar, Mahimnagar, and Ludhiana, finally arriving in Lahore. Emperor Akbar was deeply impressed by Vijayansuri's scholarship. Under his influence, Akbar issued further decrees promoting compassion towards living beings, such as prohibiting the killing of cows, oxen, buffaloes, and calves, not confiscating property from childless individuals, and not capturing or keeping people as slaves.
• Defense of Faith: On one occasion in the royal court, Acharya Vijayansuri successfully defended his beliefs concerning God, the Sun, and the river Ganges, thereby thwarting the intentions of those with opposing views and profoundly impressing everyone present.
• Imperial Title: Emperor Akbar bestowed upon him the title of "Savai Hir" (meaning "even greater than Hir").
• Succession: After spending three years in Lahore and its surrounding areas, he journeyed towards Gujarat in V.S. 1650 (approx. 1593 CE) upon learning of his guru Hiravijaysuri's weakening health. While at his Chaturmas in Patan, he received the news of his guru's passing from Una, which deeply affected him. Following this, Acharya Vijayansuri assumed the leadership of the Gachha.
• Religious Service: Under his guidance, an estimated four lakh (400,000) images of Jinas (Tirthankaras) were consecrated in numerous towns and cities, including Kavi, Gandhar, Champaner, Ahmedabad, Khambhat, and Patan. He also oversaw the renovation of temples at important pilgrimage sites such as Taranga, Shankheshwar, Shatrunjaya, Panchasar, Ranakpur, and Arasan.
• Literary Works: His known literary works include "Sumati Ras" and "Suktasavali".
• Demise: Acharya Vijayansuri passed away in V.S. 1971 (approx. 1914 CE) in Akbarpur near Khambhat, at the age of 67, having completed 58 years in his monastic life.

The text then briefly introduces Acharya Vijaydevsuri Maharaj, who received the title "Jahangiri Mahatapa" from Emperor Jahangir. He is described as an influential leader of congregations and a great ascetic. The "Vijaydevsur Sangha" within the Shvetambar Murti Pujak Tapa Gachha is named after him. His gurus were Acharya Vijayansuri and his grand-guru Acharya Hiravijaysuri. The text highlights that these three influential Acharyas worked to promote compassion for living beings across India, influencing the Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Acharya Vijaydevsuri was born into a prosperous trading family of the 'Ukesh' community in Idar in V.S. 1934 (approx. 1877 CE). His parents were Thira and Rupadevi. His paternal grandfather's name was Vasudevkumar. Vasudev's parents were religious, instilling strong spiritual values in him from childhood. Young Vasudev's inclination towards renunciation grew, and at the age of 10, he resolved to follow the path of renunciation. His mother, Rupadevi, also wished to take initiation. Both took initiation in V.S. 1943 (approx. 1886 CE) in Ahmedabad, near Haja Patel's pond, at the hands of Acharya Vijayansuri. Young Vasudev was named Muni Vidyavijay, and true to his name, he dedicated himself to acquiring knowledge. His capabilities greatly impressed his gurus.