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2. SUDHARMA SWAMI
Shri Sudharma Swami was the fifth Ganadhar of Bhagavan Mahavir, whereas Gautam Swami was the first.
Every ascetic cannot become Ganadhar because this is a special power which appears only by getting initiated by the Tirthankar himself, not before that. As soon as this power is gained all the closed gates of mind and wisdom open. Because of this only the Ganadhars are able to absorb all the Shrut knowledge and create the Dvadashangi just by hearing tripadi from the Tirthankar.
Arya Sudharma was one such Ganadhar.
Arya Sudharma was born in the Kollak village. His clan was Vaishyayan. His father was Dhanamitra and mother Bhaddila. He was born in the Uttara-Phalguni constellation. He was a Brahmin.
He was an exceptionally talented and ritualistic Brahmin and a proficient scholar of fourteen subjects. He had 500 disciples.
He had a doubt in his mind. A being remains same as he is now, in his next incarnation or his attributes like form etc. undergo a change.
When Bhagavan Mahavir removed his doubt, he also got initiated at once along with his disciples. Immediately on initiation he acquired the Ganadhar power.
He was initiated into the Shraman organization of Bhagavan Mahavir at the age of 50 years. He remained a chhadmasth for 42 years. For 30 years he served Bhagavan Mahavir as a chhadmasth and for another 12 years he still remained so. He became an omniscient at the age of 92 years. He spent 8 years as an omniscient before getting liberated at the age of 100 years.
Thus Ganadhar Sudharma got liberated after 20 years of the nirvana of Bhagavan Mahavir.
The importance of Sudharma Swami lies in the fact that he recited (taught) Dvadashangi to Jambu Swami. The 11 Angas available today were recited by Ganadhar Sudharma. That is why they carry the subtitle-compiled by Ganadhar Sudharma.
The wealth of physical and spiritual virtues of Ganadhar Sudharma has been eloquently narrated in the scriptures.
He was about 7 feet tall. He constitution was of the best category or Vajrarishabhanarach Samhanan (best firmness of joints) and Samchaturasra Samsathan (best symmetry of the body). The body was well constituted in terms of size and shape. His body had a glow like molten gold which means that his complexion was like milk mixed with vermilion colour.
The description of his virtues has been given in para 4 of the first chapter of Jnatadharma katha Sutra in these words
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