Swayamprabhasuri

Swayamprabhasuri or Svayamprabhasuri was a Śvetāmbara Jain ascetic and the 5th successor in the lineage of the monastic heads of the Chaturvidha Sangha's Upkeśa Gaccha. He succeeded Keśiśramanācharya and is believed to have existed in 6th–5th century BC. He is known for establishing the Śrīmali and Porvāl clans.

Birth and initiation Although not much is known about him, some non-canonical scriptures such as Ratnaprabhasuri's "Upkeśa Gaccha Caritra" describe his ascetic life in detail and life before initiation into the Jain Sangha succinctly. As per scriptures of the Śvetāmbara sect, he is believed to have been born in the 6th century BC in a family belonging to the Vidyādhara clan.

He is believed to have been initiated by Keśiśramanācharya, the 4th pattadhār in the 23rd tirthankara Parshvanatha's lineage. Therefore, unlike most Jain ascetics today who trace their lineage to the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira, Swayamprabhasuri traces his ascetic ancestry to the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha.

Monastic lineage

According to Uttaradhyayana Sutra, an ancient canonical text of the Śvetāmbaras, it is believed that Keśiśramanācharya had a conversation with Mahavira's prime disciple Indrabhuti Gautama about the differences in the teachings of both the Tirthankaras. It is said that the disciples of Parshvanatha wore colored (usually dark-brown) clothes and those of Mahavira wore white clothes. It is such differences that Keśiśramanācharya came to discuss with Indrabhuti Gautama.

The text further states that upon receiving adequately satisfying answers from Indrabhuti Gautama, Keśiśramanācharya and all his disciples accepted the order of Mahavira and became white-clad mendicants. Later on, his lineage came to be known as the Upkeśa Gaccha. Even though it merged into Mahavira's Chaturvidha Sangha, this gaccha always maintained its unique identity until its extinction in and around 1930 AD.

Ascetic life He is said to have been well-versed with the Dvādaśāṅga and the 14 purvas of the Jain canon. Today, the 14 purvas are considered to have been lost along with the rest of the text of the 12th aṅga Drstivada. He is, therefore, considered to have known the complete canon, making him one of the Śrut Kevalīs. Since he knew the 14 purvas, he is considered to have been a Purvadhāri as well. Since he was born in the Vidyādhara clan, he is also said to have known several of the magical rituals (or vidyās) that members of the Vidyādhara clan knew.

Creation of the Śrīmali clan Scriptural accounts of his life describe his visit to Rajasthan 57 years after Mahavira's nirvana which was in 527 BCE. This would date his visit to Śrīmal in 470 BCE. Most of the non-canonical texts of the Śvetāmbara sect agree upon this account and describe him as one of the first few Jain monks to visit Rajasthan. Following is a brief scriptural account of the establishment of the Śrīmali clan by Swayamprabhasuri.

In Maru Pradesh (modern-day Rajasthan), monks neither of Jainism, nor of Buddhism had preached due to the difficult terrain (desert). Brahmins had a monopoly in this part of India. It is said that practices of Kundapanth and Caliyapanth, branches of Tantric Hinduism, were very popular. It is believed that they promoted several tantric malpractices in the name of religion. It is further stated that Śrīmal (modern-day Bhinmal), a town in Rajasthan, was at the center of such practices.

Upon hearing this, Swayamprabhasuri immediately went to King Jayasen's palace where Brahmins were preparing for the animal sacrifice. The king welcomed him and asked about the reason for his visit. Swayamprabhasuri clearly stated the Jain principle of "Ahimsa parmo dharma" . Interrupting his sermon, the Brahmin leader for the sacrificial ritual told the king that Jains do not follow the Vedas and must not be heeded to. However, Swayamprabhasuri stayed determined on his point and a lengthy debate followed. Swayamprabhasuri emerged victorious in the debate and King Jayasen, along with 90000 households of the town turned towards non-violence and eventually, Jainism after Swayamprabhasuri preached them about the 12 vows for householders.

It is believed that Swayamprabhasuri consecrated a temple and an idol of the 1st Tirthankara Rishabhanatha at Śrīmal. A pilgrimage procession to Palitana temples was also organized by the Jain Sangha at Śrīmal. It is further stated that they also renovated Jain temples at Mount Abu.

It is further stated that he consecrated a temple and an idol of the 16th Tirthankara Shantinatha at Padmavati among several temples and icons he consecrated at various villages and towns surrounding Padmavati.

Initiation of Ratnachuda Vidyādhara According to legends, Swayamprabhasuri was once preaching lay-followers, and Ratnachuda, a king of the Vidyādhara clan was flying above him. The latter halted to hear the sermon. The soft-hearted king was moved by the sermon and he expressed his will to become Swayamprabhasuri's disciple. He renounced his kingdom and consecrated his son, Kanakchuda, as the king and along with 500 other Vidyādharas, accepted initiation into the Jain sangha.

According to non-canonical scripture "Upkeśa Gaccha Caritra" of the Śvetāmbara sect, 52 years after Mahavira's nirvana, in 465 BC, Swayamprabhasuri consecrated Ratnachudamuni as the next acharya of Upkeśa Gaccha and named him Ācārya Ratnaprabhasuri who went on to create the Oswal clan.

Death and legacy At a later time, he went to Palitana, and performed Sallekhana by fasting for one month and passed away.