Tulsi Prajna 2004 07

SR No.: 524620
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shanta Jain, Jagatram Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 114
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 5 MB

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Padmasundara was the pupil of Padmameru and belonged to Nagpuria Tapagaccha' and was honoured by Akbar with various gifts on his success in literary contests. About the year 1568 A.D. a debate was held in Akbar's court between Buddhisagara of Nagpuriya Tapagaccha and Sadhukirti of Kharataragaccha on the subject of a Jaina religious ceremony called "'Paushada", in which Sadhukirti won and was conferred by Akbar the title of 'Vādindra". Padmasundara was alive then and did not take part in the contest. He died in a short time and although it is likely that the imperial contact with the Jains did not cease with his death, there is no mention of important Jains at the imperial court till the advent of Hiravijaya Suri.
Hiravijaya Suri (Harji Sur of Ain) was born at Palanpur and by his learning and piety soon rose to be the leader of the Tapagaccha section of Jain ascetics. According to the wishes of Akbar communicated through Shihabuddin Ahmad Khan, Governor of Gujarat, Hiravijaya Suri went to the court at Fatehpur on 18th June, 1582 A.D.' On arrival a discussion took place between the Suri and Abul Fazl in which the Suri propounded the doctrines of Karma and an impersonal God. The Suri defining true religion said that the foundation of a faith should be compassion.' Akbar made mention of Padmasundara, his dear friend" whose scriptures he had preserved in his palace and these he offered to the Suri as a gift, Pressed by the Emperor to receive something from him, the Suri requested that all the caged birds and prisoners may be set at liberty and the slaughter of animals during the eight Jaina holidays (Paryūshana) may be enforced at Agra. The Emperor granted the request for that year. The next year, 1583 he influenced the Emperor to enforce the order in the whole empire for all
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In June 1584 the title of Jagadguru (World Preceptor) was conferred upon Hiravijaya Suri. On this occasion caged birds on the banks of ''Babar" were ordered to be released. The Suri left for Gujaratin 1586 (not in 1584 as mentioned by Mr. Roychaudhury). Arriving in 1582 he spent four monsoons at the capital and neighbourhood. During his stay not only did he impart a knowledge of Jainism to the Emperor but he also got various concessions to their faith in the form of farmans to promote non-killing. Fishing in the lake of "'Dabar“ was prohibited. The Emperor is said to have taken a vow to refrain from hunting!? (but hunting was not stopped by Akbar, as stated by Mr. Roychaudhury) and expressed a desire to leave off meat-eating for ever as it had become repulsive. CATAT SET 14019 – fehac, 2004 -
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