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Jain Society of Greater Detroit PRATISHTHA MAHOTSAV ASHADH 4-12 V.S. 2054
SHAYYAMBHAVSURI
(death, Vir Samvat 17) Acharya Prabhavswami felt that Shayyambhav, of Rajagruhi, was fit to succeed him as acharya. He instructed two of his disciples to teach Shyyambhav about the Jain religion and its scriptures. Shayyambhav was deeply interested in the search of the essence of religion and true reality. The two munis found Shayyambhav involved in a yagna and said, "Dharmalabh" - a unique greeting of Jain sadhus conveying the offering of religion, upon seeing him. The munis admonished Shayyambhav that he must seek the real knowledge about the tatvas, the truths. Shayyambhav, in his search, became a disciple of Prabhavacharya. With the knowledge of the 14 purvas, he became a sbrutakevali acharya. At the time of his diksha, his wife had been pregnant. She gave birth to Manakkumar. When he was eight years old, he asked his mother about his father who told him of his diksha. Manak found his way to Champanagri in search of his father. Upon reaching the town, he asked some sadhus about his father. These sadhus happened to be Shayyambhavsuri's disciples. Shayyambhavsuri gave Manak diksha. With his knowledge, he came to know that Manak was to live only 6 months longer. He created the “Dashvaikalik”* sutra to teach him. After Manakmuni went to devlok, he installed the sutra as part of the first studies of monkhood at the request of his disciples. This sutra is now accepted by all branches of Jainism and is integral to all Jain studies. *a compilation of select Aagam verses
Stories Of The Sadhu
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