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him to become Gatchhanayaka or the head of gatchha. When Anandavimala did not accept the post, Saubhagyaharshasūri was made Gatchhanayaka.122 Hemavimalasūri died at Visanagara in A. D. 1527, leaving behind him many pupils whom he had taken in the order of Jain monks.723
After Hemavimalasūri, Saubhagyaharshasūri glorified Jainism. Though born in A. D. 1498-9, he entered the order of Jain monks at the early age of eight in A. D. 1506-7. When he became Gatchhanayaka in A. D. 1527, Bhimasi, Rupā, Devadatta, Kaba, Jayavanta and other Jains held a festival. In A. D. 1530, he went on a pilgrimage to Satrunjaya and Giranara with the Jain congregation. In A. D. 1533, a festival was held by Somasi, Ratnasi, Dakhamasi and Khimsi of Cambay to congratulate the Sūri upon his appointment as a Gatchhanayaka. In A. D. 1540, the dignity of Vachaka was conferred on Somavimala at Vidyapura (or Vijapura.) To celebrate this occasion, Teja Manga gave plates and sweet balls to the Jain congregation.
(122) Laghu Posalika Pattavali; Jain Aitihasika Gurjara Kavya Sanchaya, appendix, p.p. 96-9.
(123) Jain Aitihasika Gurjara Kåvya Sanchaya, Appendix, p. p. 98-9.
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
