Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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3.3 Legacy Knji sw mi brought in fore front the philosophy of Kundakunda. He had attracted a lot of followers who went on publishing his commentaries on Samayas ra, Pravacanas ra, etc. Having built temples, etc in Songadha from where he conducted the activities he went on preaching the doctrine of Krama Baddha pary ya. Yet he did not choose any one to carry forward his mission. Because he believed that every Pary ya is Swanirmita. Today the followers have established a huge sect known as K nji pantha. A group of followers have started regarding him as a future t rtha kara.
4.0 Pandit Todarmal In the true tradition of ancient Jain Saints and scholars, Pandit Todarmalji, too, did not pay any attention towards writing anything about his life history. Therefore, nothing definite can be said on the dates of his birth, death and life span. However, on the basis of the available circumstantial and other evidence Dr. Hukamchand Bharilla in his research treatise " Pandit Todarmal - life and work" established his year of birth to be 1719-20 A.D. and the year of his passing away 1766 A.D. with a life-span of only 47 years. He was born in Jaipur (India). His father was Shri Jogidasji Khandelwal of Godika Gotra (Jain subcaste) and Rambha Bai his mother. He was married and had two sons, Harishchandra and Gumaniram. Shri Gumaniram was a great revolutionary genius. He received ordinary education in the spiritual Ter Panthi Style of Jaipur, but his deep scholarship was mainly due to hard work and genius. He was a great intellectual having sharpness of understanding and a studious nature. He was well- versed in Prākta, Sanskrit, Hindi and Kannad languages.About his scholarship Pandit Raimalji wrote in his letter of invitation for the Indra-dhwaja Vidhana (Ritual), in the year 1764, "It is very difficult to find a man of his intellect these days. All the doubts about religious matters are removed after meeting him". About his knowledge and studies, he himself writes in Mok a Mrga Prak sa, "I have studied Samayas ra Panc stik ya, Pravacanas ra, Niyams ra, Gomattas ra, Labdhis ra, Trilokas ra, Tattv rthas tra, with commentaries; Kshapanas ra, Purus rtha Siddhyup ya, Asthap hud, Atm nus sana and many other scriptures describing the conduct of monks and householders, and Pur nas containing stories of great personalities according to my own understanding and knowledge". In his short life-span, he wrote, in all, twelve books, big and small which is about a lac verses in measure and about five thousand pages. Some of these are commentaries of popular sacred books while others are independent works of his own. These are found both in prose and poetry.
References: 1. Digish Mehta, Srimad Rajacandra A Life, p. 15. 2. U.K. Pungaliya, Philosophy and Spirituality Of Rajacandra, p.27. 3. ibid 4. ibid, p. 68 5. ibid 6. ibid 7. A. Cakravarti, Commentary on Samayasara of Kundakunda, p 232-233 7. W.Johnson, Harmless Souls, p. 276 8. 9. A. Cakravarti, op.cit, 9.306
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0