Yogshatakam

Author(s): Haribhadrasuri, Punyavijay
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 3

PREFACE
Samadarši Ācārya Haribhadra' of Pt. Sbri Sukhalalji and Sri Haribhadrasūri' of Prof. H. R. Kapadia furnish us with the details of the life of Ac. Haribhadra who flourished in eighth century. He was the native of Citrakūta (present Cittaur) and was a Brahmin priest. He was well versed in Sanskrit language and literature, and was proud of that. A Jain nun named Yäkini Mahattarā made him realise his lack of knowledge of Prakrit language and literature. Thus she indirectly suggested to bim a course that of being initiatet in the Jain Order of Monks - for his making up this deficiency. On this account he considers himself a spiritual son of that nun. It is interesting to note that he blessed his devotees with the words - Exert yourself for the dissociation of mundane life'. As a result, people called him Bhavavirahasūri.
Āc. Haribhadra composed many works --- some short and some voluminous. The death of his two dear pupils struck him with deep grief. He wanted to be free from it. So, he decided to engage himself in an activity demanding high mental concentration. This is one of the reasons why Ac. Haribhadra wrote so many works. Again, it is reported in Kabāvali that a merchant named Lalliga facilitated Ācārya's work by offering him necessary things.
Different works give different figures of the number of Ācārya's works. In some the figure given is 1400, in others it is 144), in still others it is 1444. Though we may consider all these statements fraught with exaggeration, yet this much is certain that he all alone composed more than a hundred works on various subjects both in Sanskrit and Prakrit languages. As Āc. Haribhadra had composed a good number of works, later authors ascribed to him the authorehip of a very large number of works,
The aim that constantly remained before Ac. Haribhadra in composing all these works was to enhance the purity of conduct and thought. So, on the one hand, he wrote meaningful and tough philosophical works while on the other, he wrote works on ethics, didactic works, scientific works on Yoga and works embodying narrative stories. Moreover, he did unprecedented service of the Jaina canonical works through writing commentaries on them and editing and bringing into light the works thrown in oblivion. But this is not the proper place for acquainting the reader with the vast literature of Ac. Haribhadra.
In his time, many traditions and interpretations of Yoga (Science of Spiritual Discipline ) were current. He collected cream from all these