Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

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

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one more record has been created by Acharya Vimalasagarji's Guru Acharya Mahavir Keertiji on the basis of the inscriptions on the stones. The record of Sauripur also shows the castes of the Acharyas. According to all these records Acharya Kundakunda was born in Palliwal caste. There is a reference in the record found at Nagaur. It reads, 'Shri Kundakunda was bom in Palliwal caste on date Paush Krishna 8 Vikran Samvat 49 (forty nine) and Shri Veeranirvaan Samvat 519 (five hundred nineteen). Shri Kundakunda Acharya was in family life for 11 years, in Deeksha for 33 years, in Patastha for 51 years, 10 months, 10 days and Viraha for 5 days. Thus he lived for 95 years 10 months and 15 days. He had four other names also - 1. Shri Padmanandi, 2. Shri Vakragreeva, 3. Shri Griddhipichchha (Griddhapichchha) and 4. Shri Ela Acharya (Al Acharya).
But Pandit Nathuramji Premi says that the origin of the records bearing the castes of the Acharyas is not before 14th century. There are some scholars who are of the opinion that the Jain castes originated in tenth-eleventh Century. So, according to them it is wrong to mention the caste of Acharya Kundakunda. However, the scholars having the opinion that the origin of the Jain castes is from Acharya Bhadrabahu, say that the record of the caste is correct, i.e., in their opinion Palliwal is the caste of Acharya Kundakunda.