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## Introduction
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It is clearly evident. Bhattaraka Akalankadeva, in his Tattvarthavartika, presents most of the arguments of the Sarvarthasiddhi in the form of Vatikas. And wherever he felt the need to mention the rules of grammar, he usually refers to the sutras of Jainendra. Therefore, it is certain that Acharya Pujyapada came before Bhattaraka Akalankadeva. But a comparative study of the Sarvarthasiddhi and the Visheshavashakabhashya also reveals that the Sarvarthasiddhi must have been present before Jinabhadragani Kshamashraman when he wrote the Visheshavashakabhashya. For comparison, see Sarvarthasiddhi, Chapter 1, Sutra 15, where the definition of Dharana Matigyan is given in these words:
'Avestya Kalantaram Avismaranakaranam.' In the Visheshavashakabhashya, the same words are repeated and it is said:
'Kalantaram Ya Jam Punaranusaranam Dharana Sa U || Ga. 291 ||' While explaining that the eye sense organ is not capable of perceiving, the Sarvarthasiddhi, Chapter 1, Sutra 19, says:
'Manovavaprapkaryati.' The same thing is expressed in the Visheshavashakabhashya in these words:
'Loyanam Apattavisayam Manoshya || Ga. 209 ||' In Sarvarthasiddhi, Chapter 1, Sutra 20, it is doubted that at the time of the first attainment of Samyaktva, both types of knowledge arise simultaneously, therefore, it cannot be said that Shrutagyan is prior to Matigyan. As:
'Ah, Prathamasamyaktvotapti Yugapajgyanparinamamanmatipurvatvam Shrutasyanotpadyata iti.' Now, in the light of this, see this gatha from the Visheshavashakabhashya:
'Nana Nanaani Ya Samkalaai Jo Mahasuyai.
_ To Na Suyam Maipugvam Mahanaane Va Suyannaanam || Ga. 107 ||' Thus, although this comparison reveals that Acharya Pujyapada's Sarvarthasiddhi must have been present before Jinabhadragani Kshamashraman (Vikram Samvat 666), it does not shed much light on their actual time period. For this, see the following evidence:
1. In a copper plate inscription from Merkara (Kurg) written in Saka Samvat 388 (Vikram Samvat 523), the lineage of Kundakunda and the local Ganaka Munis is given along with the mention of King Avinita of the Ganga dynasty. From other evidence, it is also known that King Avinita's son's name was Duvinita and he was a disciple of Acharya Pujyapada. The reign of King Duvinita is considered to be around Vikram Samvat 538, therefore, on this basis, it can be said that Acharya Pujyapada must have lived between the latter half of the 5th century and the early half of the 6th century Vikram Samvat.
2. This fact is also corroborated by a mention in the Darshanasara of Devasena, written in Vikram Samvat 990. Devasena has stated that Vajranandi, a disciple of Shri Pujyapada, established the Dravida Sangha in Vikram Samvat 526. The mention in the Darshanasara is as follows:
Siripujjapadasiiso Davidsanghass Karago Ho. Name Na Vajjanavi Pahubvedi Mahasatto.
. See Tattvarthavartika 401, Sutra 1, Vati 3 etc. 2. See Tattvarthavartika, Chapter 4, Sutra 21. 3. Ratnakarandi, Introduction, page 142.