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It is also said that while at Videha, the Chakravarti, the King of Videha, who had a gigantic body, lifted Kundakunda Acharya on a palm of his hand due to the smaller size of human body in Bharat and asked about his introduction. He was filled with joy when Acharya was introduced to him as the greatest saint of Bharat region.
It is also said that when Kundakunda Acharya was returning to Bharat, on his way, his Peacock Pichhika fell down in the sky; then for a short while, he used Pichhika of Griddha, a vulture, and hence he was named as Gridhapichha.
Ponnur Malai situated in the state of Tamilnadu, has its specific importance as it is the place where this great Jain Saint, Acharya Kundakunda has accomplished his ascetic feat. Ponnur Malai is near a village called Ponnur which is at a distance of 125 kms from Madras. The height of the hill is around 300 metres. It is said that this is the place where from Acharya Kundakunda accompanied by Devas went to Videh-Kshetra where he prayed to Bhagwan Sri Seemandhar Swamy.
Long long ago, this land was ruled by Lokachryavardhan Rajanarayana Shambhyvarayar. He was a Jain. He got constructed a big Jinamandir on the top of the hill and a statue of the Tirthankara Parshvanath was established in the temple. But at present this temple is not available. But the foot prints of Acharya Kundakunda are still existing on the hill. The huge stone bearing the foot prints is called Manishila. It is said that Acharya Kundakunda used to sit on this Shila for meditation and from this very place he went to the videh Kshetra. In the valley of Ponnur Malai, there is a Jain temple. Besides, Ashram, school and Dharmashala are also there. This place is full of green trees and gives the appearance of an ascetic grove.
It is said that first of all Kundakunda Acharya went to the Ponnur mountain and wrote Samayasara. Samayasara focuses on self-realisation. He told "only virtues are praised. Without virtues nobody can become a real ascetic. He is not an ascetic who is having unhealthy feelings and is involved in sensuous enjoyment. These views checked the adulteration prevailing in the sadhus. Kundakunda Acharya preached the gospels of Bhagwan Mahavira and wrote 84 Pahur granthas. He was 95 years old and
| SR No. | 007643 |
| Book Title | Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jayantilal Jain |
| Publisher | Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai |
| Publication Year | 1997 |
| Total Pages | 66 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 3 MB |