Kundkundacharya was born in Kondkunde village during the first half of the first century A.D. He is known by five other names i.e. Padmanandi, Kundkund, Vakragriva, Elacharya and Grudhrapichchha. However, there prevails a difference of opinion regarding the authenticity of these names. But this much is certain that his name was Padmanandi but true to the Dravid tradition, he came to be known as Kundkundacharya as he was the resident of Kondkundpur. His father’s name was Karmandu and his mother’s name was Shrimati. The couple did not have a child for a long time. Both of them were generous and charitable.
Once they gave alms to an ascetic, and as a result of his blessings they had a son. From the very early age, Kundkund was very brilliant. Endowed with sharp intelligence and unusual power of memory, he studied numerous books. From his early youth, he felt a strong inclination for renunciation and finally he accepted initiation. It is said that many miraculous incidents happened during his life as a muni.
Shri Kundkundacharya is very famous for his books relating to theology. He has written poetic compositions, mostly in Shaurseni Prakrut language. All his books are focused on the theme of the spirit and the soul.
According to the tradition Shri Kundakundacharya had composed 84 pahud volumes. Some of the volumes contain a very few gathas. The reason is that the Jain community in the South India was isolated from its counterpart in Magadh and other parts where Jainism was more popular; hence the community in Southern India required its scriptures to be compiled systematically for observance of religious conduct. Of the 84 pahud volumes, very few have survived.
His preaching are mainly addressed to Jain ascetic. Of all his volumes the best one is Samaysar. The treatment and elucidation of spiritualism is unique in the entire Jain literature. He has equated a pure or a holy soul with Time. His other volume is entitled ‘Pravachansar’. The third volume known as ‘Panchastikay’, essentially deals with the doctrines of Jainism. Far away in the South, this great Acharya provided immensely useful guidance by way of knowledge and philosophy which is a subject of eternal interest.
Samaysar, Pravachansar and Niyamsar enjoy popularity like Upnishad, Brahmasutra and Shrimad Bhagvad Gita amongst the Vaidic darshans. According to the Digambar opinion, these gathas containing his self-experiences were composed when he enjoyed the seventh gunasthanak position.
Along with Bhagwan Mahavir and Gautam Swami, the Digambar community reveres him greatly. He had devoted himself to meditation and penance in the caves in the mountain range in Karnatak. Mostly he used to stay in the caves of Nandi mountain. He had toured the whole of India for the purpose of propagating religion.
It is popularly said about him that with the sheer strength of his ability, he had been able to reach Mahavidehkshetra once and had acquired the knowledge from Simandhar Swami. Scholars like Dr. Jyotiprasad Jain believes that he might have flourished between 8 B. C. to 44 A. D.
Other posts of the series
- Patpade (December 10, 2011)
- Pethadsha (December 12, 2011)
- Revati (December 14, 2011)
- Prasannachandra Rajarshi (December 15, 2011)
- Sadhvi Bhadrama (December 24, 2011)
- Sadhvi Bansala (December 24, 2011)
- Mallavadisuri (December 26, 2011)
- Mantungsuri (December 27, 2011)
- Mahamantri Abhaykumar (December 28, 2011)
- Panchakhya Bharvahak (December 29, 2011)
- Rohiniya (December 30, 2011)
- Padliptasuri (December 31, 2011)
- Mahansinh (December 31, 2011)
- Puniya Shravak (January 1, 2012)
- Modi's Consort (January 2, 2012)
- Sadhvi Bhadramata (January 3, 2012)
- Sadhvi Dharmalaxmi (January 6, 2012)
- Sadhvi Durgandharini (January 7, 2012)
- Sadhvi Ishvari (January 8, 2012)
- Sadhvi Kalavati (January 9, 2012)
- Sadhvi Madanrekha (January 10, 2012)
- Sadhvi Malaysundari (January 11, 2012)
- Parshavnath Bhagwan Encounter with Kamath Tapas (January 11, 2012)
- Sadhvi Manorama (January 12, 2012)
- Sadhvi Mrugavati (January 13, 2012)
- Sadhvi Narmadasundari (January 14, 2012)
- Sadhvi Padmavati (Chitrasen) (January 15, 2012)
- Sadhvi Pahinimata (January 16, 2012)
- Sadhvi Poyani (January 17, 2012)
- Sadhvi Pushpachula (January 19, 2012)
- Sri 108 Acharya Shanti Sagarji Maharaj Videos (6) (January 20, 2012)
- Sadhvi Rudrasoma (January 21, 2012)
- Sadhvi Rukmini (January 22, 2012)
- Sadhvi Rushidatta (January 23, 2012)
- Sadhvi Sukumauka (January 24, 2012)
- Sadhvi Shiyalvati (January 24, 2012)
- Lord Mahävir (January 26, 2012)
- Senapati Abhu (January 26, 2012)
- Shamsansamrat Shri Vijaynmeisuri (January 27, 2012)
- Shayyambhavacharya (January 27, 2012)
- Sheth Javadsha (January 29, 2012)
- Sheth Shantidas (January 31, 2012)
- Shri Hirvijay Suri (January 31, 2012)
- Sava Soma (February 1, 2012)
- Shri Kundkundacharya (This post) (February 1, 2012)
- Samprati Maharaj (February 2, 2012)
- Shridevi (February 2, 2012)
- Siddhasen Diwakarsuri (February 3, 2012)
- Sadhvi Yaksha (February 4, 2012)
- Marubhuti & Kamath (February 4, 2012)
- Sadhvi Devananda (February 5, 2012)
- Sadhvi Chandanbala (February 6, 2012)
- Sonal (February 7, 2012)
- Surasen and Mahäsen (February 8, 2012)
- Mairavati (February 9, 2012)
- King Hansa (February 10, 2012)
- Sage Nandisen (February 11, 2012)
- Anand Shrävak (February 12, 2012)
- Monk Kurgadu or Kulguru (February 15, 2012)
- Ilächikumar (February 16, 2012)
- Chandkaushik (February 17, 2012)
- Lord Mahävir and The Cow Herder (February 17, 2012)
- Andanbälä (February 18, 2012)
- Ächärya Kunda-Kunda (February 19, 2012)
- Bharat and Bähubali (February 19, 2012)
- Kevali Jambuswämi (February 20, 2012)
- Ganadhar Sudharmäswämi (February 21, 2012)
- Guru Gautam-Swämi (February 22, 2012)
- Tirthankar Mallinäth (February 23, 2012)
- Lord Pärshvanäth (February 25, 2012)
- Lord Adinäth (February 26, 2012)
- Vikaamaditya Hemu (February 27, 2012)
- Vanraj Chavda (February 28, 2012)
- Vajraswami (March 1, 2012)
- Vajrakumär (March 4, 2012)
- Meghkumar (March 5, 2012)
- Abhaykumar and Rohineya (March 6, 2012)
- Shälibhadra (March 7, 2012)
- Queen Chelna and King Shrenik (March 8, 2012)
- Upadhyay Shri Yashovijay ji (March 9, 2012)
- Sushila (March 10, 2012)
- Upadhyay Shri Udayratnaji (March 12, 2012)
- Tilakmanjari (March 13, 2012)
- Trishalamata (March 13, 2012)
- Nobility of Savchand and Somchand (March 13, 2012)
- Sulsa (March 14, 2012)
- Suracharya (March 14, 2012)
- Udayan Mantri and His Sons – Ämbad and Bähad (March 14, 2012)
- Vimalshä – The Architect of the Famous Delwädä Temple (March 15, 2012)
- Subhadra Shethani (March 16, 2012)
- Ächärya Hemchandra (March 16, 2012)
- Subhadra Sati (March 17, 2012)
- Manorma (March 17, 2012)
- Sadhvi Sunanda (Rupsen) (March 18, 2012)
- Sadhvi Yakini Maha’itara (March 19, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (From Devala Carpenter to Multi Millioneer) (April 1, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (Blessings From The Goddess) (April 2, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (The Dull headed Becomes The Learned) (April 3, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (The Wealth Bestowed On Dhanapala) (April 5, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (The Lotus Blooms In The Void Lap) (April 6, 2012)
- Bhaktamar Stotra Stories (The Scattering Of The Serene Moonlight) (April 7, 2012)
- Ächärya Haribhadra-Suri (April 14, 2012)
- Sadhvi Taranvati (April 17, 2012)
