Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

Page 307

rya Skandila 21st discourse- c rya
In the lineage of scholars (V cakas), rya Skandila is regarded as very influential and a versatile genius. His commendable service to the Jain Order of protecting the knowledge of the canons, amidst extremely difficult times will be written in golden letters in the history of Jainism.
Skandila was born to a Brahmin couple, Meghratha and Rupasen. When she was expecting Skandila, Rupasen saw the moon in her dream. So he was named 'Somaratha' after the moon. His parents were followers of Jainism from the beginning. On one occasion during his spiritual wanderings, c rya Brhmadw paka Simha arrived at Mathura. Listening to his religious discourse, Somaratha took initiation and relinquishing his family name, he was given the name 'Skandila'. Serving his Guru, he learnt and attained the knowledge of the 11 Amgas and P rvas. Recognising him to be fit, his Guru proclaimed him as his successor. Accordingly, when rya Simha attained heavenly abode, he was appointed as the scholar-preceptor of the congregation. Some authors confused mdilya with Skandila and considered both to be one and the same; nevertheless, c rya Skandila and ten Prvadhara c rya
mdilya are two different personalities.
The tenure of Skandila as c rya was approximately from V.N. 823 to 840. That period was very critical. On one side there was a severe discord in Sourastra between the Jains and Buddhists, and on the other, in Central India a dreadful war was in progress between the Guptas and Hu as. Making the situation worse, a dreadful 12 year long famine broke out during that time. In such a disastrous situation the number of Jain monks in general and the scholars of scriptures in particular, gradually decreased and became very insignificant. As a result, the Jain literature, scriptures, canons, etc were on the verge of extinction. When after the famine, the conditions restored to normalcy, rya Skandila convened a council in Mathura between V.N. 830 and 840, inviting all the monks, rama as of the North, et al. for recital of canons.
Under the guidance of c rya Skandila, the canons were recited and the expositions were collected and arranged, which are being used even today by the congregations. As this event of recital took place in Mathura, it is known as 'M thuri V can and as c rya Skandila
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