Prakrit Proper Names (Agamic Index I) v2.c8.s4.203

v2.c8.s4.203

2. Vaira ( Vajra or Vaira ) Son of merchant Dhaṇagiri(2) of the Tambavaṇa settlement in Avamti country. Suṇamdā(1) was his mother and ārya Samiya was his maternal uncle. He was born after his father had renounced the world and become a disciple of preceptor Sihagiri(3). In his previous birth he was a Vesamaṇa god and had a meeting with Imdabhui Goyama(1). He recalled this incident in the very begining of his childhood and became eager to take to asceticism. He was, however, finally initiated by preceptor Sihagiri at the age of eight years. He was sent to Ujjeni to study Ditthi-vaya under preceptor Bhaddagutta. There he studied this text (only ten Puvvas) and came back to his preceptor. After the death of Sihagiri he became the head of the group. He travelled from place to place and visited Padaliputta, Uttaravaha, Puriya, Mahesari, Abhira(1), Dakkhinavaha etc. His life is associated with many a supernatural incident.¹ He had three principal disciples : Vairasena(3), Pauma(12) and Raha.² He was succeeded by Vairasena.³ He breathed his last on mount Rahavatta.⁴ He was the last knower of ten Puvvas.⁵