Essence Of Jaina Scriptures

Author(s): Jagdish Prasad Jain
Publisher: Kaveri Books

Page 15

Preface
Acharya Kundakunda, the author of Pravachanasara, is one of the greatest philosophers and foremost spiritual thinkers of the world. Being a multifaceted personality, he was an outstanding thinker, reformer, organizer, philosopher, teacher, poet, saint as well as a living legend. His importance within both Jainism and the Jaina philosophical tradition is incomparable. In fact, in the Digambara sect of Jains, he is revered next only to Lord Mahavira and his apostle Gautam Ganadhara. As the leader of Mula Sangha (basic ascetics), he was indeed the most prominent. The origin of almost all the lineages of the Digambara monks is therefore traced to Kundakunda.
Though Kundakunda occupies a very prominent place in Jainism and commands the highest respect, the literature on his life continues to be both scant and controversial. The existing literature contains numerous legends and is replete with incredible miracles, exaggerations, contradictions and inconsistencies. For instance, the Epigraphic Carnatica states that due to his excellent religious conduct, Kundakunda possessed miraculous power to move in the air four fingers above the ground. There is also a controversy about Kundakunda's air travel to Videh where he is said to have directly heard the divine discourses of the omniscient Lord (Tirthankara) Simandhara Swami. Different views are also prevalent regarding the dates of his life, which range from 108 BC to 5th-6th century A.D. A. N. Upadhye however maintains that Kundakunda flourished in the beginning of the Christian era.
The real name of Kundakunda is said to be Padmanandi. According to Shrutasagar's commentary on Bodh Prabhrat, Kundakunda was also known as Vakragreeve, Elacharya and Graddhapichha. Kundakunda