Gandharavada

Author(s): Esther A Solomon
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyasabha

Page 23

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Agamic statements of philosophy to thy test of reason and given us a philosophy based on reason, though he has always adhered to the spirit of the Agamas and resolved any apparent contradictions that may be found therein. In short, the Višeşā vaśyakabhāsya is a wonderful compendium of the Jaina system of thought.
ĀCĀRYA MALADHĀRĪ HEMACANDRA, THE AUTHOR OF VIŠEŞĀVAŚYAKABHĀŞYA VIVARAŅA (OR-BHASYABRHADVŔTTI)
The time of the rule of Siddharāja Jayasimba and Kumarapala was the golden period in the history of Gujaratboth politically and calturally. The contribution of Jaina monks is by no means small or negligible. Great Jaina teachers and preachers had associations with the political functionaries and thus bad their say in the political and cultural framework of the kingdom. We see this at its higbest in the influence Ācārya Hemacandra (Kalikālasarvajña—the omniscient of the Kali Age) wielded over Siddharāja and Kumāra pāla in the 12th cent.. Before Kalikā lasarvajña Hemacandra, Ācārya Devasūri Maladbāri and after him Hemacandra Maladhāri occupied a place of honour both in the kingdom and in the heart of King Siddharāja by virtue of their sincerity, morality and austerity. Kalikālasarvajña Hemacandra received the heritage of this prestige and honour and therefore could shine forth all the more easily in the period of the reign of Kumārapāla. It is noted by Padmadeva Sūri (in his Sadguru paddhati) and by Rājasekhara who belonged to the same line, in his Dvyáśrayavștti, that King Karņadeva conferred the title of 'Maladbāri' on Abhayadeva; this shows that Abhayadeva was respected even by Karṇadeva who ruled before Siddharāja. Siddharaja was highly devoted to Abhayadeva and we have a vivid account of the latter's personality and the respect paid to him by Siddharāja as given by Śricandra the grand-pupil of Abhayadeva, who was an eye-witness to all this. Maladhāri Hemacandra maintained all this and was equally honoured. Of course, this was mainly on account of the personal