Life of Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Manilal Patel
Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith Mumbai

Page 30

CHAPTER II.-HEMACANDRA'S YOUTH
According to all the sources, Somacandra's term of apprenticeship came to a close in Vikrama Samvat 1166 as he was then ordained as a Süri or Acarya, i. e. an inde pendent exponent of the holy scriptures and a successor of his teacher. On this occasion he again changed his name according to the custom of Jaina-ascetics, and was now called Hemacandra. The Prabhavakacaritra suggests that Devacandra was an old man by this time and soon afterwards took to those chastisements which lead the conscientious Jaina to Nirvana. Except in the above-mentioned story of Merutunga, he is no more referred to in the Prabandhas. The Prabhavakacaritra adds further that Pahini, when her son received the second ordination, took "caritra", that is to say, she entered the Jaina nunnery. According to a further statement of Merutunga's, she lived for a considerable time after this and died just about V. S. 1211.