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## Introduction to the Learned Maharshis
(1404 and Acharya-pad V.S. 1420) Among the learned disciples of Shrimad, the names of the following are prominent: Pujya Acharya Shri Jnan Sagar Suri Maharaj, Pujya Acharya Shri Kulmandan Suri Maharaj, Pujya Acharya Shri Gunratna Suri Maharaj, Pujya Acharya Shri Sadhu Ratna Suri Maharaj, Pujya Acharya Shri Som Sundar Suri Maharaj, Pujya Shri Sadhu Rajgani Maharaj, and Acharya Shri Kshemkar Suri Maharaj.
Each of these disciple-gems of Shrimad has authored numerous texts. Among them, the fifth disciple-gem, Pujya Acharya Shri Som Sundar Suri Maharaj, was the most influential Maharshi of his time. He was born in V.S. 1430 in Alhadnapur (present-day Palanpur). His father's name was "Sajjan" and his mother's name was "Maldan Devi". At the tender age of seven, in V.S. 1437, he renounced the world and embraced the path of asceticism. He attained the position of "Vachan" in V.S. 1450 and in V.S. 1457, at Patan, his Gurudev, Pujya Acharya Shri Dev Sundar Suri Maharaj, bestowed upon him the Acharya-pad, established him as his successor, and made him the leader of the Tapa Gachchha. He attained Nirvana in V.S. 1499. The very senior monks have said that his soul has been reborn in a good family in the Purva Mahavideha Kshetra, in the presence of Shri Simandhar Prabhu. This mention is found in the ninth canto of the Som Saubhagya Mahakavya. He was a great sage, just as he was a great person. He was also very serious and impartial. Therefore, seekers from both his own side and the opposing side would approach him without hesitation to receive his criticism and attain purity.
Detailed information about the life of this great person can be found in the following texts: "Gurvaavali" by Pujya Acharya Shri Muni Sundar Suri (composed in V.S. 1466), "Shri Chitrakoot Mahavir Prasad Prasasti" by Pujya Shri Charitra Rati Ganik (composed in V.S. 1495), "Som Saubhagya Kavya" by Pujya Muni Shri Prati Shtha Som (composed in V.S. 1524), and "Guru Gun Ratnakar" by Pujya Shri Som Charitra Ganik (composed in V.S. 1541). During his lifetime, Shrimad composed numerous texts, including "Aradhana Ras", "Updesh Mala Balavabodh", "Yog Shastra Balavabodh", "Sadavshayak Balavabodh", "Nav Tatvadhi Balavabodh", and its commentaries, "Avshayak Nirukti Avchuri", "Sadhu Samachari Kulka", as well as numerous stotras like "Kalyan Kad", etc. Many of these texts are still available today. The present "Chatudasharan Prakirnak Avchuri" (Vritti) is also a composition of Shrimad.
In the lineage of great persons of the Jain religion, this great person, who attained a position of respect and honor through his scholarship, virtuous qualities, and other virtues, had four disciples who attained the Acharya-pad: (1) Pujya Acharya Shri Muni Sundar Suri Maharaj, (2) Pujya Acharya Shri Jay Sundar Suri Maharaj, (3) Pujya Acharya Shri Bhuvan Sundar Suri Maharaj, and (4) Pujya Acharya Shri Jin