Suvarna Raupya Siddhi Shastra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 16

(UI) Life and Age of the author of the
Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-Śāstra.
It is clearly stated by the author of the Suvarņa-Raupya-Siddhi-Sāstra in the last verse of the 14th chapter that the Suvarņa-Raupya-Siddhi-śāstra has been written by me, Jinadattasūri, having an experience (and) belonging to the pure celebrated Kharatara Gaccha in the world in Vs. 1210 (1153 A. D.) on the day of Akşaya trtiya for removing the misery of the people." .
According to one view, it was Jinadatta Sūri 2 a pupil of Jina-vallabhà sūri, who was the real founder of Kharataragaccha at Ajmer in Vs. 1179. Dharmasāgara Sūri maintains the view that it was founded by him in VS. 1204.3
It is alleged that Jinadatta Sūri was obliged to fly on the back of a mule (khara). He had hence the nick-name 'Kharatara'. Another explanation of this gaccha is that Jinadatta Sūri was a redoubtable māster (khara) of controversy.5 His activities equally account for his further names - Cāmuṇdika, because he dedicated a prayer to Cāmuņņā and Austrikā 6 as he was obliged to fly on the back of a mule. 7 Whatever may be the explanation of the origin of Kharataragaccha, it prospered and flourished vigorously in Rajasthan. And it is one of the most important celebrated svetāmbara schools.
It is to be observed here that Jinadattasūri stands as the fifth Ācārya from Jinesvara Sūri in the line of Kharataragaccha according to the Kharataragccha pattāvali. 8 It is possible that Kharataragaccha was founded by Jinesvarasūri at Pātan outside Rajasthan, but it became much celebrated under the leadership of Jinadatta Sūri in Rajasthan, So it was natural according to one view, that he was the founder of Kharatara gaccha. But it is to be noted here that Jinesvarasūri obtained the title "Kharatara" in 1017 A. D. at the court of king Duralabharāja of Pāțan by defeating the Caityavāsı monks.
1. Akasendukara kāle Vikaramato gate / Svacche Kharataragacche Vikhyate Jagatitate //
Svānubhūtā mayā lekhi lokānāṁ duhkhānasinī / Dine (a) Ksayatrtiyāyāṁ Jinada
ttena Sūrinā || Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Sastra, ch, 14,68 2. Jaina Sāhityano Itihās, p. 233. 3. According to Dharmasāgar Upadhyāya, it was Jinadatta (VS. 1204) who was the
founder of Kharataragaccha, See pravacana Parīksā, Dharmasāgar Upadhyaya,
P, 323, line 17. 4. In regard to peculiarities of Kharatara it is known from Jinadatta himself by an - Utsūtrapadaghațankulaka (309) by a sāmācāri (Dharmasagar gurvāvali in Ajitadeva
sūri series No. 41, weber, Kup., p. 804). 5. "Pattane pausadhāśālivanavade kuvalānga Kharataragacchāicete nāmam abhat",
Patjavali Samuçcaya, Pt. I, pp. 56, 154. 6. Pravacana Parīksā, Dharmasāgar Upadhyaya, p. 231. 7. See Bhandarkar's Report, 1883-84 A.D. p. 149. 8. Kharatagaccha Pattavali, Pt. II, pp. 24 ff., Pt. III, pp. 47 ff.