________________
128
Demise 1547 : Total Life-time 83 years
Śri Laksmisāgara Suri succeeded Śri Ratnasekhara Sari as the 53ro. Pațfadhara. He was initiated by Śri Munisundara Sūri at Umāpura. Somacäritra Gağı has stated in the biography of Śrî Lakşmīsāgara Sûrı depicted by him in his poetical compsition" "Guru gunaratnakara" that the Sūri had been initiated in V. S. 1470, that is to say, at the tender age of mere six; while according to the Pațiávali he accepted initation when he was thirteen. Despite his so tender age, he began his study of the Scriptures with perfect concentration, and doctrine-discussions. He vanquished even the Vădins who were wonder-struck at his extra-ordinary talents.
Purther, he had pleased, in those young days, King Mahipāla of Jîrnadurga. After attaining the status of Gani by yogavahana of Vivāhaprajnapti, he was awarded the Pannyasapada by Sri Somasundara Sûri in 1496, which occasion was highly celebrated by Shāha Mahādeva of Devagiri. After five years, that is, in V, S. 1501, Sri Munisundara Sūri bestowed upon him the dignity of a Vācaka at Muņdasthala, when caravan-leader Bhima undertook a great festival.
Day by day, his powers increased. He always liked solitary silence. He did not like trivial quarrels which were of no avail nor was he so obstinate.
After becoming the leader of the Gaccha in 1517 V S, he co-operated with Sri Ratnamaņdana Sūri and Somadevasûrı, thus striving to rid the party-spirit of the Jainas. He wandered not only in Gujerāt, but throrugh Maurdesa (Mārwār) and Mālvā too. Consequently, many effluent Śrävakas became devoted to him,
Shāh Salha, an Ukesa of Giripura or Dungarapura got installed at the worthy hands of the Sūri, along with many other images, a Jina-image of brass weighing 120 maunds. Similarly, Shah Mahādeva of Devagiri, after his pilgrimage to the Satrun
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
