Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c5.s4: Eleven Gaṇadharas
Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c5.s4
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Eleven Gaṇadharas
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Mahāvīra had eleven *Ganadharas* or heads of Schools (cf. *Gaṇācariya* in Pali). The eldest was Indabhūi, then followed Aggibhūi, Vāubhūi, Viyatta, Suhamma, Maṇḍiya, Moriyaputta, Akampiya, Ayalabhiyā, Meijja and Pabhāsa. The first three *Ganadharas* were brothers and belonged to the Goyama *gotta* and were residents of Gobbaragāma. The fourth belonged to the Bhāraddāya *gotta*, and was the resident of Kollāga sannivesa; the fifth belonged to the Aggivesāyana *gotta*, and was the resident of Kollāga sannivesa; the sixth belonged to the Vasiṭṭha *gotta*, and was the resident of Moriya sannivesa; the seventh belonged to the Kāsava *gotta*, and was the resident of Moriya sannivesa; the eighth belonged to the Goyama *gotta*, and was the resident of Mihilā; the ninth belonged to the Harīayana *gotta*, and was the resident of Kosala, the tenth belonged to the Koḍinna *gotta* and was the resident of Tuṅgiya sannivesa; the eleventh belonged to the same *gotta*, and was the resident of Rāyagiha. These *Ganadharas* were all Brāhmana teachers and all except Indabhūi and Suhamma, died during the life time of Mahāvīra. They are said to have been versed in the twelve Aṅgas, the fourteen Puvvas, and the whole *gaṇipiḍaga* (the basket of the *Gaṇis*). They died in Rāyagiha after fasting for a month.⁶⁸ Goyama Indabhūi cut asunder the tie of friendship which he had for his Master and attained *kevalinship* the same night when Mahāvīra died.⁶⁹ He survived Mahāvīra for twelve years and finally achieved salvation at Rāvagīha at the age of ninety two.⁷⁰ The name of Suhamma, the fifth Ganadhara of Mahāvīra, we come across in the Jain Canons frequently. After Mahāvīra's death, he became the head of the Jain community and held that position for twenty years, till he attained *kevalinship*. He is said to have narrated the Jain Canons to his disciple Jambu in the manner he had heard from his Master. The *Niggantha samanas* of the present time are all spiritual descendants of the monk Ajja Suhamma, the rest of the *Ganadharas* left no descendants.⁷¹
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⁶⁸ See *Kalpa Sū.* 8. 1-4; *Ava. Nir.* 644 ff., 658 f.
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⁶⁹ *Kalpa Sū.* 5. 127.
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⁷⁰ *Ava. Nir.* 656.
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⁷¹ *Kalpa Sū.* 8. 4.
Linked texts (2)
- Kalpasūtra — Bhadrabāhu, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit
- Āvassayanijjutti — Bhadrabāhu & Bhadrabāhu II, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit