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he was in search of worthy disciple to handover the post of Acharya of Sangha. He handed over the charge to a worthy ascetic and left for Ponnur Mountain leaving food and water and adopted Sallekhana. After Kundakunda Acharya, his philosophy was preached by generations of Jain Monks including Amrit Chand, JayasenAcharya, etc.; as said earlier, They explained his scriptures with all its depth and splendour. Thus, Kundakunda Acharya was a unique ascetic in Jaina History.
According to a story available in the Punyashrava in the south of India, there was a kingdom named Kurumarai under Pidattanadu in the south of India. In this kingdom there was a rich businessman named Karamandu. His wife's name was Shrimatee. There was a herdsman named Mativaran who used to take their cattle to the jungle for grazing. After his death, Mativaran took rebirth as the son of Karamandu. This very child became famous as Kundakunda Acharya.
According to "Jana Prabodha" there was a businessman named kunda Shreshthi in the kingdom of kind Kumudu Chand of Varapur Nagar in the Malav region. His wife's name was Kundalata. He had a son named Kundakunda.
Some scholars are of the opinion that birth place of Acharya Kundakunda is Varaha (Varapur) which is near Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan. This opinion is based upon two grounds of one scripture named "Jnanaprabodha" and a Chhatari in the name of Shri Kundakunda Acharya in Varauha. According to "Jnanaprabodha", Kundakunda Acharya took birth at Varapur. But most of the scholars are of the opinion that this scripture is of modem period. So the version of this scripture cannot be treated as authentic. So far as the Chhatari of Varaha is concerned it is worth mentioning that there were three Munis by the name Kundakunda. The two other Munis named Kundakunda were in Samvat 1249 and Samvat 1385 respectively. These are different from Acharya Kundakunda. This has been mentioned in a record (Pattavali) found at Sauripur. So, the Chhatari of Varaha may belong to the other Kundakunda Muni.
There had been curiosity on the part of a few to know about the caste of Kundakunda Acharya. There are only a few records (pattavalies) in which caste of each Acharya has been mentioned. One such record has been found in the library of Nagaur and
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| 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 |