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SUBSEQUENT MANTRIKAS: SRI VIRACARYA
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neration. This is very significant and shows the depth in the downward tendency to which the Caityavāsis had sunk.
Amreśvara, however, lived like a true Sādhu obtaining his food by begging and applied his remuneration to the construction of a small temple. Abhayadevasūri died in 1135 Vikrama era at Kapadvanj.
SRI VIRĀCĀRYA Sri Vīrācārya was a contemporary of King Siddharāj of Gujarāt. In his biography contained in Prabhāvakacaritra details about the place and date of his birth and parentage are not mentioned nor are the dates of his initiation or death given. He was a pupil of Vijayasimhā. cārya of Şandilla Gaccha. Once Siddharāj out of kingly pride told the Achārya that his importance was due to the King's friendship. Thereupon the Achārya informed Siddharāj of his intention to leave his capital immediately. Siddharāj said that he would not allow him to leave his capital. Thereupon the Achārya flew away by his miraculous power from Pāțan to Pāli in Mārwār. King Siddharāj coming to know of it sent his ministers to request him to come back to Pāțan. The Achārya however did not immediately return but promised to go there in due course. He defeated several noted disputants in religious debates at several places including Gwalior. The King of Gwalior thereupon being pleased with him presented to him the royal paraphernalia. Thence he went to Nagore. Siddharāj again sent his ministers to escort the Achārya back to Pāțan and accordingly he returned there. He defeated there a Sānkhya disputant named Vadisimha carrying on his debate in verse, employing the metre and figure of speech stipulated by his opponent. It is stated in his biography that he owned a Caitya (temple) and that at Siddharāj's request he recited a benidictory verse on the occasion of Siddharaj's leading an attack on Málwā. As Siddharāj succeeded in his said expedition, on his return he hoisted a flag on Vīrācārya's temple. Thence started the practice of hoisting flags on Virācārya's temple whenever important missions were undertaken. Some remnants of Caityavāsi practices can be noticed in Virācārya's life. It shows
