Jain Journal 1996 01

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

Page 20

SOMĀNI : VIJAYADEVA SŪRI OF TAPĀGACCHA
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pleased and granted an epithet "Vardhamāna Vidyā" upon him. However, on hearing the illness of Hīravijaya Sūri he decided to move to Gujarāt.3
EARLY LIFE OF VIJAYADEVA SURI
Vijayadeva was born at Idar on Posa Sudi 13(Sunday) VE 1634 (1578 AD). His early name was Vasudeva of Bāsu Kumār. It is due to his innate interest to become a Jain monk, he insisted to leave the family life. After much pressure, he was converted into a Jain monk at Hāzi-Patel-Pole-Ahmedābād in VE 1643. He was named as VidyāVijaya. It is due to his hard labour he got a good knowledge of Jñanakriyā (knowledge and its practical application). Soon he obtained a profound knowledge of Präkrit, Sanskrit and others. An epithet Pandit was given to him.4
At Khambāt, where Sresthi Māllu and his brother Soma conducted a celebration. Vijayasena gave the title "Ācāryato Vidyā-Vijaya renaming him as Vijayadeva on Besakh Sudi 4, VE 1657. Its celebration was also arranged on Posa Budi 6, VE 1658 at Pātan. It is known as Vandana-mahotsavaof Vijayasena in 1671 VE Vijayadeva was succeeded as the Bhattāraka.”
BHĀNUCANDRA AND SIDDHICANDRA
After the death of Hiravifaya Sūri, the party politics continuously prevailed in the Tapāgaccha. Even during his time also similar incidents took place. But he carefully avoided them. Dharmasāgara, a monk of the Tapāgaccha, composed Kumati - Kudāl containing several glaring facts against Jainism. Objections were raised by several writers and monks against the above work. According to the Kharataragaccha sources, Jinacanda Sūri did religious discussions with him about the contents of the above book and defeated Dharmasāgara, Vijayadeva Sūri had thrown the book in the water. But the struggle continued and Dharmasāgara drafted another book.
Bhānucandra and Siddhicandra remained much venerated writers. Akbar respected them very much. They had composed many
3. Mohan Lāl Dalicand Desāi - op. cit. Introduction p. 18. 4. Meghavijaya-Devānanda-Mahākāvya (edited by Becardās, SJGM, Intro
p12). According to Srivallabha the father of Vijayadeva took his wife and son to become a Jain monk (Vijayadeva Sūri Māhātmya canto V verses
1-2). 5. Ibid p. 12/Vijayadeva Sūri Mahātmya canto 5, verse 52.