Acharya Pujyapada (Devanandi):
Biographical Introduction:
In the Indian Jain tradition, Acharya Pujyapada (Devanandi) holds a special and highly revered place among the celebrated Jain authors and scholars. He was equally blessed with knowledge and brilliance, and is ranked right after Acharya Samantabhadra and Acharya Siddhasena in terms of importance and influence.
He was known as a distinguished ascetic, a supreme monk among monks (muni-pungava) of his time, and a radiant sun in the world of literature, whose light continues to illuminate Jain thought and scripture.
His initiation name was Devanandi. Because of his sharp intellect, he earned the title Jinendra-buddhi. Since celestial beings (devas) worshipped his feet, he became famously known as Pujyapada (literally “one whose feet are worthy of worship”).
According to the texts Pujyapad Charita and Rajbali Katha, his father’s name was Madhav Bhatt and mother’s name was Shridevi. He was born into a Brahmin family in Karnataka, in a village named Kole.
There is no major dispute regarding his historical timeline. Based on various sources, he is widely accepted to have lived during the 6th century CE.
As a child, he once witnessed a frog being swallowed alive by a snake. The frog's desperate struggle deeply affected him, leading to intense dispassion (vairagya) toward the world, and he embraced Digambara monkhood.
Scholarship and Recognition:
Acharya Pujyapada was a master scholar in diverse fields including grammar (vyakarana), poetry (kavya), Jain philosophy (siddhanta), medicine (vaidya), and prosody (chhandas). He is most well-known as the author of the Jainendra Grammar, a pioneering Sanskrit grammar work in the Jain tradition.
He served as the head acharya of the Nandi Sangha, a sub-lineage of the Mula Sangha.
In praise of him, the later Jain Acharya Jinasena wrote:
"Among poets, he was like a Tirthankara, and his speech was a sacred river that purified the impure thoughts of scholars."
He was eulogized by scholars such as Acharya Gunanandi, Mahakavi Dharmachandra, and Padmaprabha. He was a great philosopher, an unmatched grammarian, a brilliant physician, a powerful poet, and an accomplished yogi.
His poetry is less ornamental and more philosophical and spiritual in nature. His work Sarvartha Siddhi especially showcases his depth of philosophical analysis.
Notable Events in His Life:
- Travel to Videha: He had attained the mystical power of vidya of Videha travel (remote travel by spiritual means), which allowed him to visit the Videha Kshetra, a divine realm.
- Restoration of Eyesight: Once he lost his eyesight due to unknown reasons. He composed the Shantistava Stotra and recited it with great concentration, which miraculously restored his vision.
- Worship by Celestial Beings: Devas were said to worship his feet—hence the name Pujyapada.
- Master of Medicine: He had mastery over mystical healing powers (aushadhi riddhi).
- Turning Iron into Gold: It is believed that iron turned to gold upon contact with his sacred feet.
Major Literary Works:
- Sarvārthasiddhi
- This is a prose commentary on Acharya Umaswami’s Tattvartha Sutra.
- Also known as Tattvārtha Vṛtti, it offers philosophical insight along with detailed interpretation of core Jain principles.
- It is considered one of the most important Jain philosophical commentaries.
- Samādhitantra (Samādhishataka)
- Contains 105 verses.
- A rich spiritual work discussing the nature of the soul (ātman) as external (bahirātma), internal (antarātma), and supreme (paramātma).
- Reading this text brings peace and self-awareness.
- Ishtopadesha
- A short but powerful poem of 51 verses, filled with spiritual depth.
- Its purpose is to awaken the soul to its true nature and to realize detachment from the body, senses, and material world.
- This work enhances spiritual strength and clarity.
- Dashabhakti (Ten Devotions)
- These are ten types of devotion found in Jain Agamas.
- Pujyapada’s Sanskrit compositions on Siddha Bhakti, Shruta Bhakti, Charitra Bhakti, Yogi Bhakti, Nirvana Bhakti, and Nandishwar Bhakti are preserved.
- Poetically rich and spiritually profound.
- Janmābhiṣeka
- Mentioned in inscriptions from Shravanabelagola.
- This work is fluent and composed with scholarly maturity.
- Jainendra Vyākaraṇa (Jainendra Grammar)
- A unique and original work on Sanskrit grammar, structured in five chapters with around 3,000 sutras.
- It is a landmark contribution to Jain scholastic tradition.
- Siddhipriya Stotra
- A hymn of 26 verses praising all 24 Tirthankaras.
- Composed with deep devotion and poetic flow.
Other Contributions:
Pujyapada also composed works related to medicine and prosody, such as:
- Vaidya Sarasangraha (Compendium of Medicine)
- Chhanda Shastra (Treatise on Metre)
However, these are not currently available.