Studies in Jain Literature

SR No.: 001868
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 114
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Story
File Size: 14 MB

Page 417

SAMARAICCAKAHA (BHAVA-II) OF HARIBHADRASURI : A STUDY 399 following account of Haribhadra's life is based on Dr. Jacobi's conclusions. Haribhadra was born at Citrakuta, the modern Chitor, where he probably lived until his initiation. He was a Brahmin by caste and had mastered all the Brahmanical learning. He is said to have been the familypriest of King Jitari (or Jitasatru). Proud of his erudition, he proclaimed that he would become the pupil of any one whose proposition he could not understand, and this vow was engraved on a golden plate he wore on his belly. Once a mast elephant having got loose and causing great havoc in the street, Haribhadra fled before him and climbed a Jain temple to save himself. At the sight of the image of Tirthakara, he composed a verse to deride him. Next day, he heard an old nun reciting a gatha, which baffled his understanding. The gatha was : चक्किदुगं हरिपणगं पणगं चक्कीण केसवो चक्की / केसव चक्की केसव दुचक्की केसी अचक्की य // He asked her to explain its meaning, but she referred him to her Guru. On his way to that Guru, he passed by the temple and pronounced the same stanza, changing one word so that now it was in Jina's praise. There he met Jinabhatasuri, who promised to teach him after initiation. Haribhadra agreed and acknowledged Yakini Mahattara as his spiritual mother. Later on he was so well versed in the Jain agamas, and his conduct was such, that the Guru appointed him his successor. He thus became a yuga-pradhana. The scene of his later life as a monk seems to have been chiefly the neighbouring parts of Rajaputana and the kingdom of Gujarat. His wanderings as a yati' probably extended to far distant parts of India. Samaraiccakaha suggests that he had acquaintance with Northern India and Eastern India between Ayodhya and Campa. Beyond this we know nothing of Haribhadra, the circumstances of his birth, education, society, details about his literary activity and his passing away. Haribhadra's Works Haribhadra is a very versatile and voluminous writer. Tradition credits him with the authorship of 1400 Prakaranas. Kalyanavijaya has drawn up a list of all his works actually preserved or known from quotations only; his list shows 88 entries. About 27 works of Haribhadra are available. The number 1400 is only an exaggeration. If we mean by Prakarana a chapter and not a systematic treatise, the number 1400 could possibly be explained. All the same, his extant works bear ample testimony to his versatile genius. The works due to him may be classified as follows :