Jain Legend Vol 4

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

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They undoubtedly are two different c ryas belonging to different times having identical names.
Varddham na Sri (Beginning of the decay of Temple dweller tradition)
The period starting from the first phase of 11th century V.N. up to 8th or 9th decade of 16th century V.N. in a broad sense is considered as the period when the glory of Temple dweller tradition reached its pinnacle. Its influence extended over the entire Gurjara region in the northern India and all the far-flung places surrounding it.
Not many monks of Suvihita tradition remained and those few who existed were scattered in different far-off places, receiving scant attention from the people. This pathetic situation of the original monks was perhaps the cause for Varddh mana S ri (the disciple of c rya Jinacandra, Temple dweller of Abhohara village) to quit the Temple dweller tradition. He felt motivated to search for a worthy, virtuous scholarly preceptor of Suvihita tradition to study the scriptures and to take initiation from him. In his quest for a worthy preceptor he received information about Udyotana S ri, who was carrying out religious wanderings at that time, around Delhi. In fact, Jinacandra S ri, the guru of Varddham na S ri even tried to retain him in his tradition by luring him with crya post; but by then the inner eye of Varddham na c rya had already opened. Hence he took initiation from forest dweller c rya Udyotana Sri into Suvihita tradition, studied scriptures and started his religious campaign.
The first act of Reform of the path of spiritual purification
According to the disquisition of V had Gurv val of Kharatara gaccha, Varddham na S ri went to the court of Durlabhr ja, the king of port city of A ahillapura Pa a a with his entourage of 17 disciples – Jine vara, et al and defeated the 84 c ryas, Src rya and others of Temple dweller tradition in a religious discourse and quelled the stronghold which they had been enjoying for centuries. The difficulties faced by Vardh mana S ri and Jine vara S ri, in their herculean task were beautifully discussed in the 3rd volume of this series of Jain Legend'.
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