________________
169
60 Sri Vijaya Déva Sūri.
Born V. S. 1634
Diksâ V. S. 1643 Pannyāsa Pada V. S. 1655
Sūri Pada V. S. 1656 Pattadhara V. S. 1658 Svarga-gamana V. S 1713.
Acarya Śri Déva Sūri was born on the thirteenth day of the bright-half of Posa mâsa in V. S. 1634. at Idar. He had his Bhagavati Diksã, along with his Mother, at Ahmedābād on the tenth day of bright half of magha masa in V. S. 1643 at the pious hands of Jagad-Guru Acarya Mahārāja Śriman Hira Vijaya Sûrîsvarajı. Acārya Śri Déva Sūriji had his Pannyāsa Pada at Sikandara-pura (near Khambhāt) in 1655. He had his Upadhyaya Pada and Süri Pada (status of an acârya) at Khambhata on the auspicious-fourth (4) day-of the bright-half of Vaisakha of V. S. 1656. With the intention of spending a large sum of money on this lucky day, Shah Sri Malla Sadhu and his brother Soma, wrote Kum Kum-patrikās (invitations on an auspicious occasion) to numerous persons of various towns and villages of Marwâra, Saurāṣṭra, Cutch, Gujerät, Konkana, etc and invited thousands of persons. Seven hundred sådhus and sädhvis also came there. A spacious Mandapa (pavillion) was erected in front of his temple. Acarya Maharaja Śrīmān Vijaya Séna Sūriji gave him Suri Pada on the fourth day of the bright-half of Vaisakha of V. S. 1656, in Siddhi yoga when all other stars were very lucky. It is said Śrî Malla Sadhu and his brother spent about fifty-thousand (50000) rupees at that time, Another wealthy man named Kikā Thakker is said to have spent eight thousand (8000) rupees on the same occasion.
In V. S. 1658, Acārya Śri Déva Sūriji was made the Pattadhara at Pätaga.
Jain Education International
Acarya Śri Déva Suri did two pratisthā (installation of images of Jinesvaras) at Ahmedabad, four at Paţaņa, and three nstallation ceremonies at Khambhata. He then stayed for the 22
For Private Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org