Learn how agams were created and handed down through the first 7 pattadhar of Bhagwan Mahavir
This article is part 7 of the series on History of Jainism. This article is extracted from the book “Jain Itihaas” by Acharya Kulchandra Suri and “Jain Parampara No Itihaas” by Triputi — Muni Darshan, Muni Gyan and Muni Nyay Vijayji. Also read part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5 and part 6.

Dwadashangi
The 11 Ganadhar — Gautam Swami etc.. compiled the sermons of Bhagwan Mahavir in Ardha Magadhi and each of them created 12 agam called as “Dwadashangi” as follows: Ācāranga sūtra, Sūtrakrtanga, Sthānānga, Samavāyānga, Vyākhyāprajñapti or Bhagavati sūtra, Jnātrdhārmakathāh, Upāsakadaśāh, Antakrddaaśāh, Anuttaraupapātikadaśāh, Praśnavyākaranani, Vipākaśruta and Drstivāda(which contained the 14 purvas). While each of the ganadhar’s agam were different in their writing style, they captured the same meaning.
First Pattadhar — Shri Sudharma Swamiji
When Bhagwan Mahavir attained Nirvan, 10 Ganadhars including Gautam Swami had already attained either Keval Gyan or Nirvan except Sudharma Swamiji. Hence Sudharma Swamiji was made the first head of order of monks called as Pattadhar. Each of the other 10 Ganadhar handed over their disciples to Sudharma Swamiji. All the monks today trace their descent from Sudharma Swamiji. Sudharma Swamiji passed 50 years as a house holder, passed 42 years as Sadhu engrossed in sadhna. He attained Keval Gyan at the age of 92 years. He passed 8 years as Keval Gyani and his nirvana happened at the age of 100 years in Vir Samvat 20 i.e. 20 years after Mahavir Swami’s nirvana.
Charam Kevali — Shri Jambu Swamiji
After Sudharma Swami, Jambuswami became the 2nd Pattadhar. Jambu Swami was born in Rajgruhi nagar to Rushabh and Dharini. When he was 16, he listed to sermon of Shri Sudharma Swami and his life changed. He wanted to take diksha. He immediately accepted Samyaktva(Right Perception) and Brahmacharya(celibacy) from Sudharma Swami and returned home to seek his parent’s permission to take diskha. His parents however insisted on him marrying 8 noble ladies instead. Jambu Swami agreed to marry on the proposition that he will take diksha the very next day of his marriage. His parents agreed to this thinking that once he is married he will forget about diksha.
Jambu Kumar was married with great celebration and grandeur. Prabhav Kumar, a head of group of 499 thieves, hearing about Jambu Kumar’s wealth, decided to burgle the house the night of the marriage. During the night, Jambu Kumar explained to his 8 wives the worthlessness of this samsar. Prabhav along with 499 other thieves, overheard this conversation.
The following day Jambu Kumar, his eight wives and their parents and 500 thieves including Prabhav all took diksha from Shri Sudharma swamiji. This event happened in Vir Samvat 1.
Jambukumar lived for 16 years as a house holder, 20 years as Sadhu, and 44 years as Keval Gyani and achieved liberation at the age of 80 in Vir Samvat 64.
Shrut Kevalis
Jambu Swami was the last Keval Gyani and last one to attain moksha in Bharat Kshetra during this Avasarpini kal. Thereafter, the people born in this Bharat Kshetra do not have the capacity to attain keval gyan and moksha from Bharat Kshetra.
After Jambu Swami, the following successors — Prabhav Swami, Shri Sayyambhav Suri, Shri Yashobharda Suriji, Shri Sambhuti Vijay, Shri Bhadrabahu Suri and Shri Sthulibhadra Suriji were known as Shrut Kevalis. They knew all the 12 Angs including the 14 purva and can describe all concepts and fundamentals exactly the way a Keval Gyani would describe. Hence they were known as Shrut Kevalis.
Shri Prabhav Swami — 3rd Pattadhar
Shri Jambu Swami appointed Shri Prabhava swamiji as his successor and the 3rd pattadhar in Vir Samavat 64.
Once there was a city named Jaipur in the mountains of Vindhyachal. The city was ruled by Vindhyaraj who had two sons, the elder — Prabhav Kumar and younger — Prabhu Kumar. Prabhav Kumar was born 30 years before Vir Nirvan. Prabhav Kumar was a very bright and capable from childhood. Despite being completely eligible to succeed, Prabhu Kumar was appointed the successor. Prabhav left the city for the Jungle where he met 499 thieves and started his new life as a Robber. When he turned 30, he took diksha after listening to the conversation between Jambu Swami and his wives. He passed 44 years as Sadhu and remained as Yugapradhan for 11 years. In Vir Samvat 75, Shri Prabhavswamiji at the age of 85 years went to celestial abode.
Shri Sayyambhav Suri — 4th Pattadhar
Realising his imminent death, Shri Prabhav Swami was looking for a successor who could carry forward the Bhagwan’s mantle. He could not a suitable successor from one of his own disciples. However he found a brahmin named “Sayyambhav Bhatt” performing Yagna in Rajgruhi as worthy successor.
Shri Prabhav Swami sent 2 of his disciples to Sayyambhav to say
अहो कष्टं! अहो कष्टं! तत्त्वं तु न ज्ञायते
That is “the Yagna which is full of violence is mere labour. There is no dharma in this”. Sayyambhav had the faith that a Jain muni would not lie. He went to his own guru and threatened with a sword to explain the real substance. Fearing for his life, his guru revealed the real substance that was lying beneath the plank meant for the yagna. Their, beneath the yagna plank, glorious idol of Shri Shantinath Prabhu was unearthed. This was the real substance.
Sayyambhav Bhatt rejoiced and influenced by this accepted diksha from Shri Prabhav Swami who appointed Sayyambhav Bhatt as the 4th pattadhar. Shri Swayambhav suri accepted monkhood at age of 28 years. He observed monkhood for 23 years and thereafter he remained as Yug Pradhan for 11 years and went to celestial abode in Vir Samvat 98 at the age of 62.
Shri Sayyambhav Suriji is the composer of the very important “Dashvaikalik Sutra” which is the first text a newly ordained Sadhu learns.
Shri Yashobhadra Suriji — 5th Pattadhar
Shri Sayyambhav Suri appointed Shri Yashobhadra suri as the successor and the 5th Pattadhar. He was a brahmin too by birth. Shri Yashobhadra Suriji accepted diksha of age of 22 years, lived 14 years as a Sadhu and 50 years as as Yug Pravartak. He went to the celestial abode in Vir Samvant 148 at the age of 86 years.
Shri Sambhuti Vijay and Shri Bhadrabahu Suri — 6th Pattadhar
Acharya Shri Yashobhadra Suriji had 2 capable disciples:
- Acharya Shri Shambhutivijai: Arya Shambhuti Vijay accepted diksha at age of 22 years. He spent 7 years as Sadhu and 60 years as Yug Pravartak. He went to the celestial abode at the age of 90 years in Vir Samvat 208. His disciples were Shri Sthulibradhraji and the others.
- Acharya Shri Bhadrabahu Suri: Shri Bhadrabahu swami who accepted diksha at later age of 45 years. He passed 17 years as Sadhu and 14 years as Yug Pravartak. He spent his last days at kumargiri mountain during Vir Samvat 222 and left for the celestial abode after observing 15 days fast. Acharya Shri Bhadrabahu Suri is the composer of the famous “Uvasaggaharam Stotra”
Kamvijeta Shri Sthulibhadra Ji — 7th Pattadhar
In Patiliputra, the king Nand had a chief minister name Shatakal. Shatakal’s son Sthulibhadra resided in the house of royal prostitute Kosha for 12 years. Once when Sthulibhadra turned 30, a Brahmin Varruchi who was Shatakal’s sworn enemy conspired against Shatakal and got him killed. King Nand offered Sthulibhadra the post of chief minister. However, reflecting on the worthlessness of samsar, Sthulibhadra declined and instead took diksha from Shri Shambhuti Vijay.
Some years passed away and Sthulibhadra grew into a very learned and mature monk. One day, he asked his gurudev for permission to stay at Kosha’s house for chaumasa(4 months of rainy season) to bring her on the right track. His guru realising Sthulibhadra’s maturity, granted him the permission. Imagine — rainy season, loneliness, a damsel who is willing to do anything. Sthulibhadraji started his meditation and Kosha did everything possible to move him. After 4 months, Kosha lost and Sthulibhadra won. Sthulibhadra explained dharma to her and she became a Shravikra. Sthulibhadra ji was hence came to be known as Kamvijeta one who has won against lust.
Shri Sthulibhadraji passed 24 years as Sadhu and 45 years as Yuga Pradhan. He left for the heavenly abode at age of 99 years in Vir Samvat 267.

Purvadhar
The agams were orally passed from Guru to only the deserving shishya. Sthulibhadraji was the last Shrutkevali, the last 14 purvadhar(one who has learnt all 14 purvas) and 12 agams. After Sthulibhadraji, slowly the capacity to learn Purvas and the eligibility to use it properly began to diminish. In the next post, we will chronicle the loss of purvas through the ages. Stay tuned!

