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INTRODUCTION.
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the Acārya had rendered no small service to Jainism. He stayed in that country for four monsoons and then started for Gujarāt, leaving his pupil Sānticandra Upādbyāya at the Court. After his departure, the Emperor again went to Lābhapura (Lahore) (in 1586-7 A. D.). (127).
... Second Chapter-The geneology of Bhānucandra is the subject of the first 21 verses of the second Prakās'a. In the non-idolator Jaina sect, Lumpāka by name (Lumpāka is a Sanskrit vulgar term coined from the name of its founder, Lunkā or Lonkā. The sect is at present called "Sthānakavāsi"-a refined term ), there was a learned monk, Hana Rşi by name. He had dived deep into the ocean of Jaina sacred literature, as a result of which he could not help coming to the conclusion that worship of Jina idols was an essential tenet of Jainism. He left his own sect and joined the Tapā Gaccha-one of the idolator Jaina Svetāmbara groups-along with bis hundred disciples. One of these disciples was Sakalacandra Upādhyāya. It is said of him that while festive preparations were going on for his marriage, he renounced the world and was initiated into Jaina priesthood, just like Jambukumāra (later on Jambusvāmi, a desciple of Sudharmă Svåmi, & prominent successor of Lord Mabāvira). He composed a poem in Gujarati entitled "Sattarabhedi Jina- Pūjā (17 ways of worshipping Jinas). The poem is very popular and is till now being sung in every village and town by the Jaina laity. Sakalacandra had many learned pupils, amongst whom Sūracandra and Santicandra were the principal ones. Süracandra was a man of high intellectual attainments. It was said about him that his genius shone as if he were a Krsna-bhārati (i, e. Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, darkly arrayed). He composed verses on the spur of the moment and always carried the palm in debates (1-21). .
Amongst his pupils, one, Bbānucandra by name, was the most prominent. He studied at his master's feet and acquired mastery over Jaina scriptures. Out of affection. Hira-Vijaya Sūri himself conferred on him (Bbănucandra) the title “ Prajna" (Pandita, Pan-nyāsa). He was regarded as Gautama (the first desciple of Lord Mabăvira) incarnate, and was revered by all as the crowning jewel of Tapă Gaccha. He initiated into his order many sons of wealthy Banias. He blanched his opponents like the sun, and soothed his adherents like the moon. Hence his name was most appropriate to, and in keeping with, his virtues. Hira-Vijaya Sūri deputed him to the Court of Akbar, hoping confidently that much good would accrue to the Jaina Order out of his influence over the Emperor (33).
In obedience to the order of the Acārya, Bhānucandra went to Lābhapura (Lähore) where he was received with great jubilation by the Jaina laity. He put up at the upās'raya (a balting place for Jaina monks). His friend Abul Fazl escorted him to the royal Court where the Emperor granted him an audience. His personality and his manner and ease of answering the questions put to him impressed the Emperor profoundly.
31 He was at first a pupil of Jivaji of Surat belonging to Lonka Gaooha. He left that fold
and took initiation from Hemavimala Suri of Tapa Gaooha in S. Y. 1682. See J. G. K. III, p. 1694.' The Sūri placed him under his pupil Kus'alamäpikya d named him Sahajakus'ala, as I find from one pattāvali with me,
