Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

Page 26

After death, Kaundesh was bom as the son of a rich person at Kaund Kundepur in Southern India. Religious functions were organised. The astrologers told that Padmanandi was the best name for the child. Padmanandi was very handsome. One day Padmanandi' was weeping. All the members of the family tried to pacify him, but in vain. Then the mother, who had returned from the temple took the boy in her lap and as soon as she sang a lullaby, the child stopped weeping. The lullaby was, "He is so pure, he is enlightened, he has forsaken all the worldly attractions (attachments)". Cther family members also sang songs, but those could not pacify the child. Only the above lullaby could pacify the child. Then everybody realised that the child must be an extraordinary one.
The child used to have a short sleep, he used to enjoy lullabies by his mother for a long time, he used to think, laugh and raise so many queries. This caused anxiety to the mother. One night she said to her husband, "Padma seems sick". In the morning he called in the expert doctors and astrologers. After diagnosis, they gave their suggestions. "What a wonder"; at the age of two years such a short sleep, even then he is fully healthy". Short sleep is but natural because of his sharp mind and great recipient power. Their forecasting was, "This child will become a great personality". They added 'we feel obliged because you have called in us and thus we could see this great personality. Whoever will come into his contact, they will be very lucky".
When the child was four years old his mother started to impart him religious education also. One day the child said "Now I shall not get education from you as you are not teaching new things”. The mother did not know how to pacify his curiosity. Then she decided to read and leam in the night and teach him that in the day. Now the parents decided to engage a worthy and leamed teacher for Padma.
One day in the morning there was great hustle and bustle in Kaundakundepur. People were very happy. They were going towards the jungle. People were talking that the great teacher, Jinachandra was seen in the jungle near the city. Padma said to his mother, "The great teacher is present in the jungle. All are going to see him, I shall also go". She said, "I shall also accompany." But Padma did not wait for the mother and he