Jain Journal 1984 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 33

Acarya Aryabhata
V. G. NAIR
There is substantial and trustworthy literary evidence to prove that Aryabhata, the celebrated mathematician and astronomer was a Jaina ascetic reputed for his vast studies in religious scriptures, acute intellect and spiritual wisdom. The Acarya was born in A.D. 499, near about the famous rock-cut natural Jaina cave temple called Kallil in Methala village, Ernakulam district, Kerala. But it is unfortunate that epigraphical and archaeological evidences are not available in support of the accepted traditional view that Aryabhata professed the Jaina faith and he was an ascetic famous in Kerala and other parts of India for his marvellous attainments in the untrodden fields of mathematics and astronomy unknown to the Western world and other Asian countries. Some scholars have disputed the claim that Aryabhata was not a Jaina Sadhu but he was a Hindu Vedic Scholar. These critics have failed to prove their claim on the basis of trustworthy evidences from current tradition, literature, epigraphy and archaeology.
Let me at the outset, unearth the available evidences from Jaina religious literature although they are inferential and indirect information to prove my claim that Aryabhata was a Jaina ascetic born in Kerala.
There were several Jaina Sadhus in the past centuries with an affix of Arya to their proper names. To illustrate a few among them they are Arya Vajra Svami, Arya Suhasti and Arya Malayagiri, who were reputed scholars and authors on Jaina philosophy and culture. Bhagavan Mahavira was known as Arya and Bhatesvara, besides, his other numerous names mentioned in the scriptures. The first name signifies purity of life, nobility, advanced learning and supreme spiritual wisdom; the second, as the chief Pontiff of all the Jaina Bhatas, temples and mutts and the most worshipful Lord of the Jainas. The Pontiffs of Jaina temples and mutts in Karnataka and Tamilnadu are called Bhatarakas even today. The fact that the name of Arya Bhata consisted of two separate words-Arya and Bhata would give credence to my claim that Acarya Arya Bhata was a Jaina ascetic. Arya and Bhata are traditional names of Jaina ascetics from Mahavira to the Sadhus down through the centuries.