In short
Acharya Siddhasena Divakara wrote the Sanmatitarka, considered the first major Jain treatise on logic composed in Sanskrit. Tradition holds he was a Brahmin scholar who converted to Jainism after losing a public debate, later rising to Acharya and earning the title "the Sun" for illuminating the order.
At a glance
- Rank
- Acharya
- Tradition
- Shwetambar
- Era
- 5th century CE
- Key works
-
- Sanmatitarka
- Nyayavatara
- Kalyanmandir Stotra
Contribution
His Sanmatitarka is considered the first major Jain treatise on logic composed in Sanskrit, addressing the seven Jain standpoints (naya) and the nature of knowledge. He also composed twenty-one sets of verses — the "thirty-twos" — ranging from eulogy to critique of rival Buddhist and Hindu schools.
Life
Born a Brahmin scholar under the name Kumudchandra, he is said to have accepted Jain initiation only after losing a public debate to Acharya Vruddhavadisuri. He rose to the rank of acharya and became known as Siddhasena Divakarasuri — "the Sun" — for illuminating the Jain order.
Legacy
His Kalyanmandir Stotra, a hymn to the 23rd Tirthankara Parshvanatha, remains one of the nine holiest recitations (Nav Smaran) of the Shwetambar Murtipujak tradition.