Kalikal Sarvagna Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Anandsagarsuri, Sagaranandsuri
Publisher: Manav Mangal Bombay

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though difficult to describe, forces us to think, write or speak about him.
Acharya Hemchandrasoori
was born in Dhandhuka, Gujarat. His father, Chachdev, was from a merchant community and was a Modh by caste. Some ancient Acharyas have also named him as Chachigdev.
The child Changdev was born to Pahini Devi, wife of Chachdev. This child later became well known by the name of Kalikal Sarvagna Acharya Hemchandrasoori.
Changdev was born in the Hindu Calendar month of Kartik, on the full moon day, in Vikram Samvat 1145 (A.D. 1089). He was five years old when his mother Pahini Devi took him to Acharya Devchandrasoori who was in Dhandhuka at the time. On entering the Upashraya, Changdev straightway went and sat along with the great Acharya on his scat. As a mark of respect visitors sit at a lower level, on the floor. So seeing this child, Acharya himself was surprised. He observed the child carefully and foresaw this was not an ordinary child and if taken under his care and guided properly, the child could become a
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