Jainsquare – A Complete Portal on Jainism

During the sixth century AD, there lived a learned Brahmin named Haribhadra. He was highly intelligent and proficient in philosophy of all religions. He was so intelligent that he right away understand what other people meant to convey. It was easy for him to effectively counter the argument of other people. As was the practice in those days, he used to go to various places to debate with scholars and other learned men at royal courts. Thanks to his expertise, he invariably turned out to be a winner of arguments everywhere. The scholars were, therefore, scared of entering into a debate with him.

When no one came forward to counter him, he concluded that there was no rival in the entire country. He felt sure he had no problem in comprehending anything that any one would like to discuss. He therefore issued a public challenge that if any one could present some thing that he could not understand, he would readily become his pupil. In doing that, he overlooked the fact that there were Jain Ächäryas who were highly proficient in all the philosophies and who could effectively challenge him. They did not like to boast of their knowledge and therefore did not challenge his superiority.

One day, while he was passing through a street, he came across the royal elephant. The elephant was very angry and was completely out of control. The keeper was trying his best to bring him into control, but the elephant was not responding to any of his efforts. The elephant was running towards Haribhadra and he was in a grave danger of being crumpled. Haribhadra had to find a quick shelter somewhere. As he looked around, he saw a prominent Jain temple of the city. He ran towards it and entered the temple in order to save himself from the wrath of the elephant.

Haribhadra had scant regard for Jainism and did not care to know about Jainism. He was also ignorant of what Jainism had to offer in the way of its philosophy. Brahmins were usually staunch Shaiväites and looked down upon going to Jain temples. There was a proverb among them that one should not enter a Jain temple even if one happens to be hit by an elephant. True to that tradition, Haribhadra had never entered a Jain temple. He knew about the deities whose idols are worshipped in Hindu temples. However, he did not have a clear concept about Jain Tirthankars. As he entered the temple, he saw the white marble idol of Lord Mahävir facing him. Instead of looking at the graceful compassion flowing from the eyes of Tirthankar’s idol,
Haribhadra could only notice that the stomach of the idol did not represent the skinny body of an austere saint. The only conclusion that he could draw by looking at the idol was that the Jain Tirthankars must have enjoyed substantial food. He therefore made the following remarks:

Vapurevatavächashte Spashtam Mishtänn-Bhojitämit”
Which means: “Your stomach itself clearly indicates that you must be eating sweet foods.”

Once, while Haribhadra was passing by a Sädhvis’ Upäshray, he heard a Sädhvi named Yäkini Mahattarä, reciting the following verse indicating the order in which the Chakravarti (sovereign emperors) and Väsudevs were born in the current Avasarpini.

Chakkidugam Haripanagam Panagam Chakki Ya Kesavo Chakki
Kesav Chakki Kesav Du Chakki Kesi Ya Chakki Ya

Jain tradition believes in time cycles of very long duration occurring one after another. One half of a cycle is called Utsarpini or the ascending order during which there is all-round improvements; the other half is called Avasarpini or the descending order during which every thing goes on deteriorating. That tradition also holds that 24 Tirthankars, 12 Chakravarti (sovereign emperors), 9 Väsudevs or Näräyans, 9 Prati-Väsudevs or Prati-Näräyans (Counter-Väsudevs) and 9 Balräms are born in every Utsarpini as well as every Avasarpini.

As a student, Haribhadra had studied Jain philosophy. However, he obviously had no background regarding the above-mentioned tradition. Haribhadra could not make out what Mahattarä was reciting. Asking the nun about the meaning was also a problem because he had declared that he would become a pupil of any one who would present anything that he could not understand. True to his decision, however, he brushed aside his hesitation and went inside. He said that he had decided to be the pupil of any one who would present anything that he couldn’t understand. Since he could not understand what Mahattarä had recited, he requested her to accept him as a pupil and to explain what she was reciting.

The Mahattarä replied that nuns are not supposed to teach males and cannot have males as pupils. She, therefore, advised Haribhadra to go to her Guru Jinabhattasuri who was capable of explaining the meaning of the verse. She added that if he thought fit thereafter, he could become the pupil of that Guru. Accordingly, Haribhadra went to Ächärya Jinabhattasuri who explained the verse in the proper perspective. He however did not ask Haribhadra to be his pupil.

The way the Ächärya explained the verse induced Haribhadra to learn more about Jainism. He therefore requested the Ächärya to accept him as a pupil. Thereupon, Jinabhattasuri asked him to get the consent of his family and other close relatives. Haribhadra had to face heavy odds when he went to seek such permission. He did not give up and patiently continued to persuade the members of his family and other
relatives. He explained to them that his knowledge would remain incomplete without gaining the knowledge of Jainism in detail. For that purpose as well as for adhering to his decision, it was incumbent upon him to be a Jain monk. He ultimately succeeded in gaining the consent of all the family members. Thereupon, he renounced the worldly life and became a disciple of Jinabhattasuri.

He diligently started studying the Jain scriptures and other sacred books. He was so smart and intelligent that he soon achieved a mastery of the Jain scriptures. The study of the Ägams showed him the depth of Jain philosophy in seeking the truth. When he gained the mastery of all relevant Jain literature and when his master was thoroughly convinced about his true faith, it was decided to bestow upon him the title of Ächärya. Now Haribhadra became Ächärya Haribhadra-suri. In that capacity, he managed the Jain order very capably and efficiently. By virtue of his knowledge and intelligence, he could attract many people to Jainism. Many of them also renounced and became his disciples. Jainism gained a newfound popularity during his stewardship.