Jain Journal 1978 01

SR No.: 520049
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 2 MB

Page 17

Kunda Kundacarya
-Some Problems regarding His Identity, Name and Birthplace---
HAMPA NAGARAJAIAH
More remote a person, more scope for confusion; greater the personality, wider the myth and miracles. Kunda Kundacarya (KKA) is both remote and great. He stands unique in the history of Jainism in general, and in the geneology of Digambara Jaina Acaryas in particular. His contribution to Jainology is outstanding. His Prakrit Pähudas have guided a vast number of people both lay and clerical for nearly two thousand years. He is rightly regarded next to Bhagavan Mahavira and his first disciple Ganadhara Gautama. The mangala sloka in which his name appears runs as follows:
mangalam bhagavān vīro mangalam gautama gani mangalam kunda kundādyah jainadharmo’stu mangalam
As in Purāņas so in history, almost every king tries to trace his geneology either from Sun or Moon or even God Himself. In like manner almost every later Acarya has tried to trace his origin from KK anvaya. This proves the greatness of KKA in the domain of Jaina Monkhood.
All this is true but more true is the fact that a student of KKA has to face many problems regarding his identity, name, birthplace, etc. It is not that there are no evidences but these are so shrouded by myths and miracles that it has become almost difficult to glean out the truth. This paper, however, will not try to solve them but to review, analyse and assess them as they are and also to show how one has to face peculiar difficulties in evaluating the cultural contribution of KKA.
Let us take up the problem of his identity first, as he and Umasvati are regarded as the same person. On the basis of some inscriptions found at Sravana Belgola, it may appear so. But the problem is not so simple, as these inscriptions are of later period. Scholars like late Dr. Hiralal Jain and Dr. A. N. Upadhye have definitely ruled out the possibility of this identity. Then, what is responsible for this misconception? Perhaps this is because KKA has been attributed with some other traditional names like Padmanandi, Vakragriva, Elacarya, Grddhapinccha and Mahamati.1 Of these Padmanandi appears to be the genuine name of
1 Dr. A. N. Upadhye, Pravacanasara, Introduction.