Arya Bhadrabahu

Author(s): M A Dhaky
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2

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Arya Bhadrabähu
tīkās, largely follow the preceding two Southern sources, adding no new information. Keeping in view the temporal position of these sources, it is clear that the earliest is not earlier than mid sixth century, the earliest being the Trilokaprajñapti whose sectarial affiliation is, in fact, somewhat dubious since, like the agamas inherited by the Svetambara sect, it stipulates 12 instead of the 16 kalpas for the Kalpavāsī gods, the figure 16 otherwise is firmly held by the Digambara sect.
The Southern (and South affiliated) sources inter alia with some minor variations in a few nominal details, present the following pontifical sequence after Arhat Vardhamana's disciple and grand disciple, the apostles Sudharmä (Loharya in Southern version) and Jambus:
ŚB.Ins.No.1 Harivamsa-purana Dhavala-țīkā
(c. A.D. 600)
(A.D.783)
(A.D.816)
Loharya I
Loharya
Lohārya
Jambū
I
Visnu
Nandimitra
Trilokaprajñapti
(c. mid 6th cent. A.D.)
Loharya T Jambu
I Nandi
I Nandimitra
Govardhana I Bhadrabahu
1
Visakha
Jambu
T
Visnudeva
Aparajita
Govardhana
I Bhadrabāhu
Visakha
Jambū
1
Visnu
יד
Nandimitra
I
Aparajita
1 Govardhana
1 Bhadrabahu
Visakha
117
Govardhana
T
The confrontation of the Northern and the Southern hagiologies of Bhadrabahu reveal intriguing, even sharp differences between the two. Contrast on at least five points clearly are discernible: First, the Southern gurvāvalīs under reference do not prefix the honorific term "Arya" before the pontiffs' appellations; second, they take no notice of their gotras; third, they are silent on the names of the four disciples of Bhadrabahu; instead, only one name figures as Bhadrabähu's disciple, Viśäkha, not found in the northern list; fourth, and as a direct consequence of the third difference, the Godāsa-gana and its four śäkhās find no mention there; and fifth and the major, which is the sharpest, difference is about the names of the post
Bhadrabāhu
1
Visakhācārya