Acharya Umaswami (Griddhapichchhacharya)
Biographical Introduction:
Acharya Umaswami is also famously known by the name Griddhapichchhacharya.
According to a popular story, once while traveling through the sky path (akash-marg) using his yogic powers, Acharya Umaswami’s peacock-feather broom (mayur-picchika) accidentally fell. Since he was extremely cautious about non-violence and protecting living beings, he chose to use a broom made from vulture feathers (griddha-picchika) instead. From that time, scholars began referring to him as Griddhapichchhacharya.
He served as an Acharya for 40 years and 8 months, and lived to the age of 84 years.
Acharya Umaswami belonged to the lineage of Acharya Kundakunda. He followed the tradition of Acharya Bhadrabahu II, Guptigupta, Maghanandi, Jinchandra, and Kundakundacharya.
Acharya Umaswami was a renowned scholar, a supreme guide on the path of liberation, highly respected by fellow monks, and a master of Jain Agamas (canonical texts).
According to the Pattavali (lineage record) of the Nandi Sangha, he lived during the late 1st century CE or the early 2nd century CE.
Literary Contribution:
Acharya Griddhapichchhacharya Umaswami is credited with a single but highly significant work — the Tattvartha Sutra.
This text is one of the most renowned and important works in Jain literature. It is the first original Jain text written in Sanskrit in sutra (aphoristic) style. Despite being concise, its content is profound and philosophical.
It holds a universal place of reverence across all Jain traditions — both Digambara and Shwetambara sects accept it equally.
In Jainism, the Tattvartha Sutra holds a position similar to the Bhagavad Gita in Hinduism, the Quran in Islam, and the Bible in Christianity. It is believed that reading this scripture with devotion brings the spiritual merit of observing a fast (upavasa).
Structure and Content:
- The Tattvartha Sutra is divided into 10 chapters.
- It consists of a total of 357 sutras (aphorisms).
- It provides a systematic and profound explanation of the seven fundamental principles (tattvas) — Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Asrava (influx), Bandha (bondage), Samvara (stoppage), Nirjara (shedding), and Moksha (liberation).