bhanuchandragani charit

SR No.: 002310
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Siddhichandra Upadhyay
Publisher: Jinshasan Aradhana Trust
Total Pages: 180
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 21 MB

Page 19

BHĀNUCANDRA CARITRA
Some non-Jainas told Akbar that the Jainas did not believe in God. Upon this, the Emperor requested Vijaya-Sena Sūri to hold a debate at his Court with the learned brāhmins, on the subject of the existence or otherwise of God. The debate was duly. conducted, and Vijayasena, quoting chapter and verse from the scriptures, marshalling facts and arguments based upon sound logic, gave a lucid exposition of the Jaina view of God, and convinced and silenced the Brāhmins once for all. On another occasion the Sūri convinced the Emperor of the necessity of prohibition of the slaughter of cows, bulls, she-buffaloes and he-buffaloes, and of repealing the unedifying law which empowered the State to confiscate the property of those persons who died heir-less, and of capturing prisoners as hostages. Convinced of the harmful nature of these things, the Emperor issued firmāns prohibiting all these things.
At the instance of the Emperor, the Sūri conferred the title "Upadhyāya" upon Bhānucandra. On this occasion, Abul Fazl yuvo 600 Rupees and 108 horses in charity. Pleased with Sūri's ability to score success over Brāhmins in the debates at the Court, the Emperor conferred on him the title .Savāi Hiravijaya Suri' (i. e. in a way superior to even his master Hira-Vijaya Sūri). He spent two monsoons at Lāhore. When he departed for Gujarāt, imperial firmāns about the prohibition of animal-slaughter, confiscation of property, and the capture of prisoners as stated above were presented to him. He started for Gujarāt in 1596 A. D. By the end of that year, Hira-Vijaya Sūri died at Unā in Kāthiāwar. [A detailed account of Vijaya Sena Sūri will be found in :- Vijaya-prasasti Kāvya a work in Sanskrit which is virtually his biography; 6th Chapter of VijayadevoSūri-Māhātmyam; inscriptions of S. Y. 1656 (No. 454 Jinavijaya II), S. Y. 1659 and 1661 (Nos. 913 and 1121 Buddhi. II), S. Y, 1662 and 1664 (Nos. 511 and 512, Jina. II), S. Y. 1666 (No. 406 Buddhi. II). 1
All the five Jaina teachers mentioned above belonged to Jaina Svetāmbara Trupā Gancelu und luiled from Gujurāt. For thom the readers uro roforred to C's article Hiravijaya Sūri or the Jainas at the Court of Akbar' and V. Smith's article Jain Teachers of Akbar' and his book Akbar the Great Mogul'. One prominent Jaina teacher with whom Akbar came into contact, was a member of the Jaina Svetāmbara Kharatara Gaccha. His name was Jinacandra Sūri. European scholars do not seem to have taken any notice of him. That is all the more reason why we shall dwell upon him along with his pupil Mānasinha at some length below.
6-7. Jina-candra Sūri and Jina-siniha Sūri.
In 1591 A. D. Akbar was at Lāhore. There he heard that Jinacandra Sūri was also a great Jaina teacher. So he called Mantri Karmacandra, a lay member of the Kharatara Gaccha, and asked him everything about the preceptor. An imperial firmãn pas given to him inviting the holy man to the Court. The Sūri received the firmān at Cambay. He immediately started. At Jālor, he passed the monsoon. In Māgsar of S. Y. 1648, (November 1591 A. D.) he started for Lāhore and reached it on the 12th day of the bright half of Făgan of S. Y. 1648. (Monday 14th February 1592 A, D.). It was "Id" day of the year. Karmacandra escorted him to the Court: