Jain Journal 1996 01

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

Page 29

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXX, No. 3. January 1996
Sāhāpur. He spent a rainy seasion there. Dhanji Sāha did good celebrations spending a large number of Mahāmudi coins. The Sūriji's presence in Sāhapur (Deccan) in VE 1701 is proved from the colophon of a MS Nyāya. Ratna-Prakarana of the Jain Bhānļār Cānasmā.198 Thereafter he came to Gujarat.
DISPUTE WITH SĀGARA-PAKSİYA ĀCĀRYAS
The Vijayadeva-Sūri-Māhātmya composed by Śrivallabha of Kharataragaccha contains details of the dispute between Vijayadeva Süri and Sagaragacchiya Ācaryas in chapter 11. In the colophon of the MS Hitopadeśa (Jñāna-Bhāņdāra, Ahmedābād) it is mentioned that in VE 1681 Muktisāgara and śāntidāsa were excommunicated as they had given their support to Sāgara-gaccha. It is also mentioned that the Ahmedābād Sangha and Sirohi Sangha became the lay follower of Vijayadeva Sūrijī. But he was not correct. It seems that originally the Sūriji was on the side of Sāgara-gaccha but later finding slanting support of his follwers he deserted then.20
DEATH OF THE SŪRIJI
Vijayadeva initially appointed Vijayasimha Süri as his successor in VE 1682. He was nominated as a successor in VE 1684. But he died before Vijayadeva Sūri in VE 1708 Āsādh Sudi 2 at Ahmedābād (Nūtanpurā). Later on the Sūrijī appointed Vijayaprabha Sūri in VE 1710 as his successor.
Vijayadeva Süri then went to Vimalagiri with a Sangha. Rāicand and others had also accompanied him. From there he came to Unā to pay a visit to the Samādhi of Hīravijaya Sūri. But he fell ill and died there in VE 1713. Asadh Sudi 11, Śreșthi Rāicand built a beautiful Vihār there. SOURCES OF THE HISTORY
Vijayadeva enjoyed a longlife about 80 years. He was bold, energetic and carefree monk. Looking to the great opposition against him in Gujarāt and Sirohi areas, he did not care and tried to have his journeys in Rājasthān and south India. The detailed history of the above monk was composed by Śrīvallabha of Kharataragaccha. The work contains the DETAILS OF THE LIFE OF THE SŪRIJI upto VE. 1687. It is the only work having the details of his life. The book has 19 chapters. The chapters I and II record the early life of Vijayadeva 19B.ibid p 212. 20. Ibid. op. cit. pp. 190.