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Studies in Haribhadrasūri
which about 23 have been proved to be of his undoubted authorship. He studied thoroughly the works of his predecessors and systematically consolidated their thought. In the process of expounding the Jaina principles, he wrote extensively on the Vedic and Buddhist traditions, and as he differed from them, he refuted them in a vigorous style, although in doing so he exhibited commendable respect for them. In this respect he was unrivalled among his contemporaries. With his versatility and catholicity, not only did he preach the Anekānta-vāda, but also practiced it with remarkable conviction. Being a rue Vitarāgin, he debated without rancor, argued without contempt, and in the process established himself not only as a great and impartial exponent of, but also as a firm adherent to the principles and the philosophy of Mahāvīra and of those who preceded him. Wishing to remove communal and sectarian poison and the fundamentalism, he tried to establish the brotherhood and displayed great foresight.
His most important works like the śāstra-vārtā-samuccaya and the Anekānta-jaya-patākā confirm his eminence. In his Yogadrsti-samuccaya he has declared as follows:
Citrā tu deśanaitesāṁ viney (asy)ānugunyataḥ / Yasmād ete mahātmāno bhava-vyādhi-bhisagvarāḥ // Yad vā tat-tan-nayāpekṣā tat(-tat) kālādi-yogataḥ / Rsibhyo deśanā citrā tan-mūlaişā 'pi tattvataḥ // Tad-abhiprāyam ajñātvā na tato “rvāg-drśām satām / Yujyate tat-pratiksepo mahā’narthakaraḥ paraḥ// Niśānātha-pratiksepo yathā ‘ndhānām asañgataḥ/ Tad-bheda-parikalpaś ca tathaivārvāg-drśām ayam // Na yujyate pratiksepah sāmānyasyāpi tat-satām / Āryāpavādas tu punar jihvācchedādhiko mataḥ // Jñāyeran hetu-vādena padārthā yady atīndriyāḥ / Kālenaitāvatā prajñaiḥ krtaḥ syāt teșu niscayaḥ//
