Catalogue of Sanskrit and Prakrit Manuscripts In the Central Provinces and Berar

SR No.: 011132
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Rai Bahaddur Hiralal
Publisher: Central Provins and Berar
Total Pages: 887
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 27 MB

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era. Balatkaragana is the most important branch of the Mala Sangha, which is the original name of the Digambara section of the Jain community, and which was apparently given to it when the Svetambaras split off from the "Sky-clad" who formed the main and original body of the Jain religionists. As to the name "Balatkaragana" a tradition explains how on the Svetă. mbaras claiming priority, Kundakundacharya (1st century A.D.) by a miracle caused a stone image of Sarasvati to pronounce judgment in favour of the Digambaras. Since he made Sarasvati to speak by force (Balat), his followers called themselves Balatkaragana of the Sarasvati gachchha*.
There is a paper sheet in the possession of the BalatkaraFoundation of the Ralat gana temple at Karanja, on which an kaigana seat at Karaja account is given of the establishment of the pontifical seats of this gana at various places. From Bhadrabahu to Malichandra there were filty-one pontiffs who had their seat at Ujjain. Mahichandra died at Bara, and 11 ds succeeded by Madhavachandra, from whom twelfth in succession was Gangakirtti who occupied the seat in VS 1197 Gangakitti died at Gupachala (Gwalior) and was succeeded by Simhakirtti in V.S 1206. From there in S 1266, Abhayakirtti went to Marawada and died at Amer. He was succeeded by Vasantakirtti. Prabhachandra of Ajmer patta went to Delhi in V.S. 1310. He had five disciples. three of whom established pontifical seats at various places. The lust was Sakalakirtii who established a seat at Gungarapur in (iujatat in V.S. 1315 From him to Yasabkirtti, there were sixteen successions. After Yaśaḥkirtti
See also Dr. Peterson's 2nd Report, pp. 163-166, and Indian Antiquary Vol. XX. p 354 The two closing verses of the genealogy tu as follows:--
पद्मनन्दी गुरुजता बलात्कारगणाग्रणीः ।
पाषाणघटिता येन वादिता श्री सरस्वती ।। ४२ ।। ऊर्जयःतगिरौ तेन गच्छः सारस्वतोऽभवत् । अतस्तस्मै मुनीन्द्राय नमः श्री पद्मनन्दिने ॥ ४२ ॥
[Preceptor Padmanandi became the first of the Balatkaragana, by whom the stone-made Sarasvati was made to speak. Thereby arose the Sarasvata gachchha on the mount Urjayanta. Hence a bow to that lord of sages, Padmanandi. ]
I hat Padmanandi is another name of Kundakundacharya is proved by the fourth verse of the same genealogy:
आचार्यः कुन्दकुन्दाख्यो वक्रमीवो महामतिः । एलाचार्यो गृद्धपिच्छः पद्मनन्दीति तन्यते ॥ ४ ॥