________________ Preface ineffable happiness of liberation (nirvana, moksa). Acarya Kundakunda has not mentioned his name in any of the texts that he had authored. However, in 'Bodhapahuda', he introduces himself as a disciple (sisya) of (Acarya) Bhadrabahu, the last srutakevali: सद्दवियारो हूओ भासासुत्तेसु जं जिणे कहियं / सो तह कहियं णायं सीसेण य भद्दबाहुस्स // 60 // The disciple (sisya) of (Acarya) Bhadrabahu has elucidated here the same path that has been expounded by Lord Jina (the Victor) in his discourses that were in form of language comprising words. वारसअंगवियाणं चउदसपुव्वंगविउलवित्थरणं / सुयणाणिभद्दबाहू गमयगुरु भयवओ जयओ // 61 // Victory to my eminent preceptor (guru) srutakevali Bhadrabahu, knower of the twelve departments (dvadasanga) and fourteen purva, with their extensive elaboration! The idea that Acarya Kundakunda had access to the Doctrine of Lord Jina through the srutakevali is further corroborated by the first verse of his composition, Samayasara': वंदित्तु सव्वसिद्धे धुवमचलमणोवमं गदिं पत्ते / वॉच्छामि समयपाहुडमिणमो सुदकेवलीभणिदं // 1-1-1 // O bhavya (potential aspirants to liberation)! Making obeisance to all the Siddha, established in the state of existence that is eternal, immutable, and incomparable (perfection par excellence), I will articulate this Samayaprabhrta, which has been expounded by the all-knowing Master of the Scripture - srutakevali. This establishes that Acarya Kundakunda was a disciple (sisya), most likely through lineage (parampara), of srutakevali Bhadrabahu and thus had access to the true Doctrine of Lord Jina. There is another aspect of the glory of Acarya Kundakunda. In the same treatise ("Samayasara'), he avers that this composition is based on direct XI
