Kundakunda
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Kundakunda (also Kundkund) is a celebrated Jain Acharya, Jain scholar monk, 2nd century CE, composer of spiritual classics such as: Samayasara, Niyamasara, Pancastikayasara, Pravacanasara, Atthapahuda and Barasanuvekkha. He occupies the highest place in the tradition of the Jain acharyas.
He belonged to the Mula Sangh order. His proper name was Padmanandi, he is popularly referred to as Kundakunda because he was born in a place named Kaundakunda in south India. He is closely associated with the Digambara sect, also in recent decades, his books have become popular among Svetambaras also. He was known also as:
- Padmanandi
- Elacarya
- Vakragriva
- Grddhapiccha
For Digambaras, his name has auspicious significance and occupies third place after Bhagavan Mahavira and Gautama Ganadhara in the sacred litany. Kundakunda wrote in Shauraseni Prakrit. Amongst the modern followers of Kundakunda, two names are remarkable, Banarasidasa, a 16th century lay poet from Agra who began his spiritual quest after reading kundakunda's "Samayasara"; and Rajachandra, the Gujarati merchant who trod famously on the spiritual path highlighted by Acarya Kundakunda.
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It has been written in various jain litrature that Aacharya Kundkund has written '84 Pahurs' but most of them are missing time by time. The most famous of them is 'Samaya Pahur' also known as 'SamayaSaar'. Other than this are Pravachanpahur, Ashtapahur, Lingpahur, Sheelpahur, Niyampahur etc.
