Jain Journal 1996 01

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

Page 19

VIJAYADEVA SŪRI OF TAPĀGACCHA
RĀMVALLABH SOMĀNI
Hiravijaya Sūri was much venerated by Akbar who bestowed upon him the title Jagad-guru. The Sūriji returned to Gujarāt from the Mughal-Court in 1586 AD via Nāgaur, Pipād, Bairāt, Rāṇakpur and other places1.He had a large number of learned and eminent scholars. Among them Śanticandra, Upadhyaya, Kalyāņa Vijaya, Vijayasena and many others remained much popular. Śanticandra composed Kṛpā-rasa-kosa. It is stated that he recited some verses in the presence of Akbar who became much pleased and always held high opinion about him. When Hiravijaya Sūri started for Gujarat in 1587 AD the Emperor again ordered to issue a Firman, prohibiting the slaughter of animals and proclaiming to abolish Jaziyā tax, which he had already abolished much earlier in his empire. Thus for a period of six months, the slaughter of animals was prohibited.2 The order was followed strictly as Badãoinī and Abul Fazl have mentioned it. Kalyāṇavijaya was the pupil of Hiravijaya. He was much tenacious and had studied Veda Puranas and many other subjets. He was having a profound knowledge of non-Jain and Jain philosophies. He had widely travelled in Mārawar Godawār, Bairāt and other places. His descendant Yasovijaya remained a profound scholar of the present time.
Vijayasena was invited by Akbar to Lahore. Its attempts were made by Durjanśal Jadiyā. The emperor agreed to the proposal and Firman was given to Bhānucandra, a monk of Tapāgaccha, then present in the court. On receiving the Firman, Vijayasena reached Lahore on 31-5-1593 AD. Akbar gave him much veneration. At that time Nandivijaya of Tapāgaccha did Avadhāraṇā. The Emperor was much pleased and endowed upon him the title Khus-Fahum. Rāmadāsa Kachāwā, a famous Hindu noble, made a specific complaint that the Jains did not believe in the Vedas and in God. On the attempts of Abul Fazl, a religious debate was organised between the Jains and the Brahmins. On the replies given by Vijayasena, Akbar became much
1. Jinavijaya-Prācina-Jaina-Lekha-Sangraha Vol II No. 12 and 379/Mohanlal Dalicand Desai - Bhānu candra ganicarita, Intro pp. 18. 2. A. L. Śrivastava, Akbar.