Book Title: Jain Legend Vol 4
Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana
View full book text
________________
After being initiated into pure monkhood by the forest dweller c rya Udyotana S ri, and mastering the scriptures, Varddham na S ri with undaunted courage dragged the chariot of Jain Dharma out from the mire of frivolous and dubious rituals introduced by material based traditions and reinstated the Jain religion on the throne of its original pure form and once again renewed vasativ sa. Jain order eternally remains indebted to him for his unparalleled services.
The tradition of Varddham na S ri later came to be known as Kharatara gaccha.
Udyotana Sri
When the customs of material based traditions were on high tide, the dazzling glare of their pomposity blinded the people. As a result the fundamental pure Jain doctrine went into oblivion with only an insignificant number of monks and followers left. It was during this period that Varddham na S ri was initiated by Udyotana S ri into the tradition of scripture based Jain Doctrine and code of conduct of rama as. Varddham na S ri made the name of his guru immortal by bringing the original religious order close to the hearts of the people.
Udyotana S ri gradually taught all the doctrines and scriptures to his newly initiated disciple, Varddham na S ri. Postulating his scholarly disciple as master of scriptures and worthy of the rank, Udyotana S ri appointed him as c rya. "Progressive activities of my gaccha, et cetera, will definitely be accomplished by Varddham na S ri - my intellectual and impressive disciple," contemplating thus, he granted permission to Varddham na S ri to way fare in the northern region. Obeying his guru's command, Varddham na S ri reached the northern region and started giving sermons and preaching in villages, towns, cities etc.
After sending his disciple Vardh mana S ri to northern region, Udyotana S ri surrounded by 83 student-monk disciples, who have been sent by the sthaviras of 83 different rama a groups, offered veneration to V abhadeva. Sthaviras of 83 different rama a groups sent a monk each to Udyotana S ri for higher studies. After sending Varddham na S ri to wander in the northern region, Udyotana S ri along with his congregation and 83 student-monk disciples went to M law and paid veneration to the idol of V abhadeva installed on atrunjaya Mountain.
25
