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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Acha
INTRODUCTION
(A digest of Hindi Prastāvanā)
1. General Nature
Bhattāraka is a term applied to a particular type of Jaina ascetics. Unlike a Muni or Yati, these ascetics assumed the position of a religious ruler. They managed large estates donated to some temple and enjoyed supreme authority in religious matters. Their tradition is very much similar to that of the Sankarāchāryas. 2. Extent of the Subject
Bhattāraka tradition is found in both Digambara and Svetāmbara sects. Twentytwo seats of Digambara Bhattārakas are known today. Out of these, one seat of Senagaña existed at Kāranja (Dist. Akola, Berar), ten seats of Balātkāra Gana existed at Jaipur, Nagore, Ater, Ider, Bhanpur, Surat, Jerhat, Karanja, Latur and Malkhed, and four seats of Kāsthāsargha existed at Hisar, Surat, Gwalior and Karanja. The complete historical account of these fifteen seats is embodied in the present work. Remaining seats of Digambara Bhatçärakas are situated at Kolhapur, Mudbidri, Karkal, Humbuch and Sravan Belgola. We hope to edit the account of these seats in the second volume of this work. 3. Age of the tradition
Traditions embodied in the Dhavalā, Harivamsapurāna etc. are unanimous about the line of pontiffs that existed during the first seven centuries after Mahāyira. Bhadrabahu II and Lohārya II were the last two pontiffs in this line. Traditional Pattävalis of various seats of Bhattārakas generally begin with either of these two.
Exact historical references to these seats are, however, found from eighth century A. D. To fill up the gap between these six centuries all traditions claim the famous pontiffs such as Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Devanandi Pūjyapäda etc., according to their will.
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