Religion and Culture of the Jains

Author(s): D C Sirkar
Publisher: University of Calcutta

Page 88

A. M. SHASTRI
73
Prabandhakośa, also known as Caturvimsatiprabandha. It may be summarised as follows.
Two poor but intelligent Brāhmaṇa boys named Bhadrabāhu and Varāha lived at Pratișthānapura in Dakşiņāpatha. Once the Jain patriarch Yaśobhadra, who knew the fourteen Pūrvas, came over there. Bhadrabāhu and Varāha heard his sermon and became Jain monks. Bhadrabāhu acquired the knowledge of the fourteen Pūrvas and possessed thirty-six qualities: He attained great fame as the composer of the niryuktis (commentaries) on the ten canonical works, to wit, Daśavaikälikasūtra, Uttarādhyayanusūtra, Daśāśrutuskandha, Kalpasūtra, Vyavahārasūtra, Āvaśyakasūtra, Sūryaprajñapti, Sūtrakstānga, Ācārāngasūtra and Rșibhāșita, and also composed a work called Bhādrabāhavi Samhitā. After the passing away of Yośobhadrasūri, both Bhadrabāhu and Sambhūtivijaya (who also possessed the knowledge of the fourteen Purvas) lived amicably and wandered independently. Varāba, who too was a scholar, wanted his brother Bhadrabāhu to confer on him the status of sūri. Bhadrabāhu declined the request as Varāha, though learned, was puffed up with pride. Thereupon Varāha gave up the vow and again lived the life of a Brāhmaṇa. On the basis of his study of the sciences when he was a Jain monk, he composed a number of new works including the Vārānasaṁhitā and circulated the rumour of his acquisition of the knowledge of astrology by the favour of the Sun-god as narrated in the above story from the Prabandhacintāmaņi and thereby attained great celebrity. Pleased with his learning, Sati ujit, king of Pratişthānapura, appointed him his priest. Varāha hurled abuses on the Svetāmbaras who were upset and sent for Bhadrabāhu. In the mean time, Varāhamihira was blessed with a son for whom he predicted a full 100 years' life, and the occasion was fittingly celebrated. Varāhamihira complained that Bhadrabāhu, although he was his full-brother, did not participate in the festivities. On hearing it, Bhadrabāhu explained away his action by predicting the child's death from a cat on the seventh day. The incident took place and Bhadrabāhu consoled his brother