History Of Jainism With Special Reference To Mathura

SR No.: 022807
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: U K Sharma
Publisher: D K Printworld P L
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 304
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 100

78
History of Jainism with Special Reference to Mathurā
after the death of Mahāvīra,10 and held office for twelve years, i.e., till the time of his death. But according to other accounts, he never held office because he had become a kevalin.12
It appears that Sudharmana became the head of the Jaina Church after the death of Mahāvīra. 13 The Nirgrantha śramaņas of the present time are spiritual descendants of Sudharmana. 14 Sudharmana held office for twelve years; he was followed by his pupil Jambūsvāmī, who led the Jaina community for twenty-four years. 15 Mahāvīra had narrated the Jaina canon to Sudharmana; it appears that the latter narrated it to his pupil Jambūsvāmī.16 Jambūsvāmī was the last of the kevalins;17 both omniscience and moksa were closed to the mortals after him.18 The six leaders who followed Jambūsvāmi came to be known as śruta-kevalins; they lacked the omniscience of the kevalins, but possessed complete knowledge of the scripture. 19 They were followed by daśapūrvīs, i.e., leaders who knew ten pūrvas of the twelfth anga.20 According to an estimate Jambūsvāmī attained moksa in 403 BC.2He was succeeded by Prabhava who was succeeded by Sayambhava. 22 Sayambhava was succeeded by Yasobhadra.23 The next leader was
10. CMHI, II, p. 355; CHAI, III, p. 282. 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid. 13. Ibid., pp. 355-6; HJM, p. 78. 14. HJM, p. 78; CHAI, III, p. 282. 15. CMHI, II, p. 356; Ibid. 16. HJM, p. 78. 17. TSPC, VI, p. 354; CMHI, II, p. 356; CHAI, III, p. 282. 18. CMHI, II, p. 356; CHAI, III, p. 282. 19. Ibid., p. 356. 20. Ibid. 21. Ibid.; According to another view he died in 463 bc, i.e., 64 years after Mahāvīra's death.
See CHAI, III, pp. 281-2. 22. CMHI II, p. 356; CHAI, III. p. 282. 23. Ibid.; Ibid.