Ancient Jaina Hymns

Author(s): Charlotte Krause
Publisher: SCIndia Oriental Institute Ujain

Page 78

ANCIENT JAINA HYMNS
Pausalika", or "Laghu-Śaliya" Gaccha branched off from the Tapa Gaccha after Hemavimala Sūri's death, these two records clearly indicate that "Vimaladharma Gani" belonged to the the same order as Hemavimala Süri. The former two references show that this Vimaladharma must have been at least 20 years older than our poet, and that he was a "Pandita", familiar with the Agamas and the Vedas, as well as a personality of influence and attractive force. Nothing stands thus in the way to assume that this "Vimaladharma", may have been our poet's "Vidyaguru", whom he felt bound in gratitude to extol in his hymn.
4. THE SAŃKHEŚVARA—PĀRŚVANĀTHA—STAVANA.
Hemavimala Sūri, the 55th pontiff of the Tapa Gaccha main line, was, as we saw above, succeeded by his pupil Anandavimala,, in the straight continuation of that line, the "Hema Śākhā”. In a minor line branching off from the latter, the Sadhus Harṣavimala, Jayavimala, Kirttivimala, Vinayavimala, and Dhiravimala Gani succeeded one another in .this order. The latter's disciple Jñānavimala Suri made himself a name as a poet and scholar during the pontificate of Vijayaprabha Sūri, the 61st head of the Tapa Gaccha, and gained such influence that, after Vijayaprabha's death, he was counted as the 62nd pontiff by his followers. The new branch thus initiated is known as the "Vimala Sakha" or "Vimala Gaccha."" It is this dignitary who interests us here as the author of the "Sankhesvara- Parsvanatha-stavana".
A sketch of his life has been given by the late M. Desai, along with a survey of his works, so that details
(1 J. G. K., II, p. 753 f. (2) J. G. K., II, p. 308 ff.