Temple of Satrunjaya

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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attained eminence in the world. Afterwards, in time there flourished in that line the Suris Susthita and Supratibaddha, 75 and through them the Order became brilliant. In this order there fluorished Vajra Rsi,76 the chief of Ganas, revered by the Indras, and the source of the Vajra Sakha (branch), just as the Himalaya is the source of the Ganga (Ganges). In the firmament of their succession table arose the sun Sri Vajrasenguru, and there flourished his disciples-Nagendra, Candra,77 Nirvritti and Vidyadhara. From them issued four divisions (kulas) according to their respective names, and among them the Candra kula attained the highest glory. In succession many Suris flourished, worthy of fame and revered by the world, destroying darkness like the Sun. In course of time, in this line of succession flourished Sri Jagaccandra Suri78 who obtained the title of Tapa, in 1285 (Samvat, i.e. A.D. 1228). Afterwards there arose in this gana, Hemavimala Suri, and in the list of his successors fluourished Anandavimala Suri.79 He rescued from corruption the path of the religious observances of the sadhus, the asylum of positive faith in Sam. 1582.80 These Suris have enlightened the world by the sweetness of their collective speech, quenching the passions like showers of rain. This succession-list of the Suris, by its glory producing gladness of heart in the people, like the stream of the Bhagirathi, was made illustrious by the pure-hearted, glory-giving Vijaya Dana Muni, a hansa-whose glory humbles the pride of Hari, whose form eclipses the beauty of Rambha's husband (Indra), whose energy steals the brightness of the friend of the lotuses (i.e., the Sun). Seeing this daily, Visnu, Indra, and the Sun, were inexpressibly overcome with the greatness of shame, and the three attain
75 These two are placed as contemporaries in the list of Sthaviras (Pali-Theras) or high priests of the Jainas, and are successors of Arya Suhasti Suri, the second Dasapurvi, who died 291 years after Mahavira, or about 236 B.C. They stand ninth in the succession from Mahavira. Stevenson calls him the second Supritibhadra; but the name appears to be omitted in some lists. Arya Susthita Suri is described as of the Kotika gana or family.
76 Vajra Svami Suri, the seventh and last of the Dasapurvis and thirteenth in the list of Sthaviras, is called Jatismara in Stevenson's list. He flourished about A.D. 57, and is said to have established a particular division called the Vajra Sakha. His successor was Sauparaka Vajrasena, about A.D. 90.
77 Candra Suri is the fifteenth in the list of Sthaviras, he was the founder of the Kula or succession that bears his name.
78 Jagaccandra Suri is the 45th in Stevenson's list and the 44th in a MS. copy belonging to the Rev. Dr. Wilson,-the two lists differing in the 38th, 39th and 40th names. He was perhaps the same as Jinacandra, to whom is attributed the Laghu Kharatara division.
7 Hemavimala Suri, Anandavimala, Vijayadana, and Hiravijaya Suri, are respectively the 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th Sthaviras in the lists.
80 A.D. 1525-the date of Dosi Karma Sah's restoration of the Adisvara Bhagavan temple.
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