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Here it is noteworthy that starting from rya Sudharm, the first Successor of Lord Mah v ra to c rya Ya obhadra i.e. up to the fifth Pontiff, the tradition of being led by “one” c rya was prevalent in the
rama a congregation. Remaining c ryas like Discourse- c rya, etc., performed their duties under the auspices of a single successor c rya. But c rya Ya obhadra, breaking the convention declared both the
rutakeval s - Sambh tavijaya and Bhadrab hu as his successors. Why did he opt for two c ryas as his successors instead of one? There is no substantial explanation for this. However it can be assumed that as the size of the congregation increased in multiples, to facilitate the smooth administration of the vast congregation, he might have opted for two
c ryas, where, one would look after the internal matters and the other would take care of external issues. Thus he had laid the foundation for the custom of two c ryas.
It is indisputably proved that c rya Sambh tavijaya remained as
c rya, the prime head of the organisation from 148 to 156 V.N. and only after his demise c rya Bhadrab hu took the reins into his hands. In spite of two c ryas being nominated, the congregation was run by
c rya Sambh tavijaya from 148 to 156 V.N. and byc rya Bhadrab hu from 156 to 170 V.N. So it is unteneable to presume that the seed of differences was sown during that period.
Digambara tradition
According to the Digambara School, c rya Govardhana was considered as the fourth rutakeval. However, there is no noteworthy introduction of him in any of their scriptures and texts.
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