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There was a monk named Arya Sudharma. He belonged to a prominent family and caste. Besides being strong, handsome and humble he was also endowed with rightknowledge, right-perception and right-conduct. In spite of having all these rare virtues he was free of conceit and greed; in other words, he had the virtue termed as Laghav or extreme brevity of ego and desire for possessions.
He was rich in qualities like power, aura, eloquence and the resultant fame. He had conquered anger, conceit, illusion and greed, and at the same time, he had also won over the senses, sleep and afflictions. The desire to live and the fear of death, both had no place in his mind. Penance and virtues occupied most prominent place in his life. He had profound knowledge of the rules of ascetic conduct (Karan-sattari) and at the same time he also immaculately followed those rules (Charan-suttari). He was ideally endowed with virtues like Nigraha (self-control), Nishchaya (determination), Arjava (simplicity), Mardava (humility), Laghav (extreme brevity of ego and desire for possessions), Kshama (forgiveness), Gupti (discipline of attitude and behaviour), Mukti (freedom), Vidya (esoteric skills), Mantra, Brahmacharya (celibacy), Veda (scriptures), Naya (logic), Nivum (discipline), Satyc! (truth), Shauch (cleansing), Inana (knowledge), Darshan (perception) and Charitra (conduct). He was benevolent as well as strict adherent of right conduct. He was extremely resolute in observation of vows, penance and celibacy. He had no attachment for his body. He had acquired the hyper-potent Tejoleshya (fire power). He had the complete knowledge of all the fourteen Purvas (sublime scriptures). And finally, he possessed all the four branches of knowledge.
This description reveals that Arya Sudharma was endowed with how many unique virtues.
Due to this wealth of virtues he had a grand and imposing personality. His discourse was almost mesmerizing and listeners were filled with reverence and devotion.
King Konik of Magadh expressed his reverence and devotion in these words
Bhagavan, your discourse is well spoken, well propagated, well worded, well compiled, well thought and unparalleled.
With the help of your religious discourse you have properly propagated with the feeling of discipline the religion of discerning attitude, renouncing and detachment. No other Shruman or Brahmin is capable of explaining the religion so vividly. (from Jain Dharma ke Prabhavak Acharya by Sadhvi Sanghamitra, page 58-59)
In Antakriddasha Sutra the name of Sudharma Swami has been mentioned frequently. Every section and all chapters start and end with his address.
Jambu puts up a question that in that particular section or chapter what subject has heen discussed by Bhagavan Mahavir. In answer Sudharma Swami details that section or chapter concluding with the sentence- Jambu, this is the text and meaning of this chapter according to Bhagavan Mahavir. This is what I have listened and so I confirm.
Antakriddasha Mahima
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