Gandhar Sudharma Swami

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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GANADHAR SUDHARMA-SWAMI that human beings could be reincarnated as humans or heavenly beings or even as animals depending upon their Karma. He addressed all of Sudharma's doubts and explained to him the theory of Karma. Sudharma saw the wisdom of Bhagawan Mahavir's words and was convinced with the explanation and he too became a disciple of Bhagawan Mahavir. As a Ganadhar of Bhagawan Mahavir, he came to be known as Sudharma-swami. Sudharma brought with him his five hundred disciples. He was then followed by the remaining six Brahmin scholars. All eleven pundits became the Ganadhars of Bhagawan Mahavir. Dejected and abandoned, Somil cancelled the sacrificial ceremony and set all the animals free. This happened when Mahavir was 42 years old and had just attained omniscience. Mahavir lived for another 30 years. During that period he continued to travel to different parts of the country in order to spread the message of compassion and explain the path of liberation. During those discourses, Sudharmaswami always sat in front of him and carefully listened to what Bhagawan Mahavir had to say. This enabled him to compose Mahavir's teachings in the form of Jain scriptures known as Agams. After Mahavir's Nirvana in 527 BC, the leadership of the Jain order was left to Sudharma-swami. During the next 12 years that he remained at the helm, he efficiently managed the Jain order set up by Bhagawan Mahavir and spread his message far and wide. Shvetambar tradition believes that during the period of his stewardship, Sudharma-swami organized Bhagawan Mahavir's teachings into 12 scriptures, known as the 12 Anga Agams. These original scriptures (Agams), are collectively known as Dvadashangi. Dvadasha means 12, and Anga means limb (part). Many of the Agams are composed in the form of questions asked by Jambu Swami (Sudharma-swami's disciple) and replies given by Sudharma Swami indicating Bhagawan Mahavir's reply. Sudharma-swami attained omniscience in 515 BC and attained Nirvana in 507 BC at the age of 100. After attaining omniscience, the religious order was entrusted to his principal disciple Jambu Swami. Jainism has deep roots and we practice it based on the scriptures that have passed down for many generations. The scriptures called Agams, compiled by the Ganadhars, comprise of the preachings of Mahavir-swami. We do not have the benefit of the presence of such great monks as Gautam-swami and Sudharma-swami in this era, but we do have the benefit of learning those principles from the scriptures. Thus, we should take advantage of the scriptures that have passed down through many generations. Jain STORY BOOK www.iainelibrary.org