Sthulabhadra (297-198 BCE) was the prominent Jain Acharya in third or fourth-century BC. He was a disciple of Bhadrabahu and Sambhutavijaya. His father was Sakatala, a minister in Nanda kingdom before the arrival of Chandragupta Maurya. When his brother became the chief minister of the kingdom, Sthulabhadra became a Jain monk and suceeded Bhadrabahu in the Pattavali as per the writings of the Kalpa Sūtra.[1] He is mentioned in the 12th-century Jain text by Hemachandra.
Sthulabhadra | |
---|---|
Preceded by | Acharya Bhadrabahusuri |
Succeeded by | Acharya Mahagirisuri and Acharya Suhastinsuri |
Personal | |
Religion | Jainism |
Parent |
|
Sect | Shwetambara |
Religious career | |
Teacher | Acharya Sambhutavijayasuri |
Sthulabhadra was a son of the Dhana Nanda's minister Sakatala and brother of Shrikaya.[2][3] He is traditionally dated in 297 to 198 BCE.[2] He loved and lived with a royal dancer in Dhana Nanda's court named Rupkosa.[2][3] He denied ministry after the death of his father and became a Jain monk.[4] His brother became the chief minister in Nanda empire later.[5][3] He became a disciple of Sambhutavijaya (347-257 BCE) and Bhadrabahu (322-243 BCE).[6][3][7] He led an ascetic life for 12 years.[5]
He spent his chaturmas at Rupkosa's home, during which she tried to lure him away from ascetic life but failed.[5] Sthulabhadra in turn gave her vows of a Shravika (Jain laywoman).[5]
He is said to have learned only 10 purvas (pre-canons with meanings) from Bhadrabahu. Although he knew the last 4 purvas as well, but since he did not know the meaning associated with them, he is not considered to have been a Shrutakevalin.[8] He was succeeded by his disciples Acharya Mahagirisuri and Acharya Suhastinsuri, whom he taught only 10 purvas because Bhadrabahu had imposed a condition upon him that he would not teach the last 4 purvas to anyone because he had used the knowledge of purvas to display magical powers.[8][5][9] 10th century Digambara texts state that Sthulabhadra permitted the use loincloth during the 12-year famine, a practice that started the Svetambara order, but is considered as baseless according Śvetāmbara Sect.[10][11] He is mentioned in the 12th-century Jain text by Hemachandra.[3]
Śvetāmbaras venerate Acharya Sthulabhadrasuri in the following hymn: -[12]
मंगलं भगवान वीरो, मंगलं गौतम प्रभु। मंगलं स्थूलिभद्राद्या, जैन धर्मोस्तु मंगलं।।
Translated as: -
Mangalam Bhagaväna Viro, mangalam Gautama prabhu, Mangalam Sthülibhadrädyä, Jaina dharmostu mangalam.
Meaning: -
Bhagawän Mahävir is auspicious, Ganadhar Gautam Swämi is auspicious; Ächärya Sthulibhadra is auspicious; Jain religion is auspicious.