Jain Legend Vol 4

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

Page 38

How Varddham na S ri and his disciples like Jine vara Sri, et al uphold the scriptures as the only authentic source has been described in a picturesque manner in the Kharatara gaccha Gurv val . It says that the ascetics should never accept R japi da - the food offered by the kings, they should seek alms from pious householders and thus should avert 42 faults by consuming (e a iya) only pure and untainted food, they should stay in an unblemished Vasati, and they should lead a life without comforts or possessions. On the contrary, the code of conduct of their succeeding c ryas lacked dedication and was full of laws.
Though they were termed as religious reformers, because of the influence of inauspicious planets they could not accomplish their mission completely and successfully till the advent of Lok ha in V.N. 2000 who emphasised practice of mental meditation and mental worship as opposed to material worship which is the root cause of aberration.
"Jine vara S ri defeated the Temple dwellers in a spiritual debate in the court of Durlabhar ja, in A ahillapura Pa a a and re-established Vasativ s tradition in Gujarat" - discussions in 'Ga adhara S rddha ataka' written by Jinacandra S ri, the chief disciple of Jine vara S ri provides a strong testimony confirming historicity and authenticity of this incident.
During his life time itself, Varddham na S ri ordained his chief disciple Jine vara S ri and his younger brother Monk Buddhis gara as c ryas. According to Kharatara gaccha Gurv val , Varddham na S ri departed for heavenly abode in intense meditation (Sam dhi), near Mount Abu in Vikram 1080 (V.N.1550).
Jine vara Sri
Jine vara S ri succeeded Varddham na S ri and became c rya of Samvigna tradition. Varddham na S ri during his lifetime itself appointed Jine vara Sri as crya and made him his group- c rya. Varddham na Sri even made Jine vara S ri's brother Buddhis gara as
c rya. The details regarding the lives of these two brothers, as given in ‘Prabh vaka caritra' are as follows:
38