Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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JAINISM IN RAJASTHAN
The Samgha being
allegorical novel named Upamitibhavapi apañchākathi. pleased conferred the title of "Vyakhyānakāra' on him.
Later on, he made a deep study of Buddhism, so much so, that even the Buddhists held him in high esteem for his scholarship and highly virtuous life. In course of time, the title of Suri was conferred on him by his
Guru.
JINESVARASŪRI Jinesvarasuri occupies a prominent place in Jaina history. His early name was Sridhara. He and his brother Sripati were Brahmanas by caste They came to Dha1anagari where they met a 11ch man named Lakshmipati He introduced them to Vaidhamanasūri. Being impressed by their deep scholarship, Vardhamānasūri initiated them into Jainism and and instructed them to preach it.
At this time, the Chaityavāsī sect was very powerful. Actually, Vardhamanasuri rose in revolt against it and founded Vidhimarga, but Jinesvarasūri by his efforts organized its followeis into a community and made it countrywide. He went to Anahilapuia where the Chaityavasis were very strong He stayed in the house of the Purohita Someśvara. He defeated Suracharya, the leader of the Chaityavāsīs, in the court of the king Durlabharāja at Pāṭana and got the title of 'Kharatara'. He established his own sect known as Vidhimārga at Anahilapura Later on, it was known as the Kharataragachchha. Then his reputation spread to neighbouring regions like Marwar, Mewar, Malwa, Vāgaḍa, Sindh and Delhi, and a large number of Śiavakas became his devoted followers. Jinesvarasuri and his young brother Buddhisagarasuri generally lived and moved together In 1023 AD they were at Jabalipura (Jalor), where Jincśvaiasuri wrote a commentary on the Ashtakasangraba of Haribhadra and Buddhisagaiasüri completed the Sropajña Pañchagranthī.
Jineśvaiasüri brought about a renaissance in Jainism, and, therefore, he is called the 'Yugapradhana'. New temples known as Vidhichaityas were built There came also some change in the form of worship. New Gachchhas, new castes and new Gotras also came into existence The original Sastras were revised and several commentaries were prepared He had a large number of disciples, the chief among them were Abhayadeva, Jinachandra and Jinabhadra.'
1. Arthasila Jaina Kavya ungraha,p. 4. Yugapradhāna Inachandrasūri, p. 10 & Kharatarugachcha-brihadguruiāvali,