Dada Gurudev Shri Jinadattasuri
In the current era of Jain Dharma, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavira, after attaining Keval Gyan (omniscience), established the fourfold order (Chaturvidha Sangh) – monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. After Bhagwan Mahavira attained moksha, the leadership of this order was taken up by his chief disciple, Ganadhar Sudharma Swami. In this unbroken lineage of Acharyas succeeding Sudharma Swami, Shri Jinadattasuri became the forty-first Acharya and came to be reverently known as the first Dada Gurudev.
Shri Jinadattasuri was born in Vikram Samvat 1132 at Dhavalakkapur-Dholka, in the home of Minister Vachigsa and Mother Vahaddevi, who gave birth to this radiant jewel of a son. Having dreamt of the moon before his birth, the child was named Somchandra. From early childhood, Somchandra displayed extraordinary intelligence and detachment from worldly pleasures. In Vikram Samvat 1141, at the tender age of nine, he was initiated into monkhood by Upadhyaya Dharmadev. Later, in Vikram Samvat 1169, on the first day of the bright half of Vaishakh month, he was ceremoniously elevated to the revered position of Acharya in the historic city of Chittor, before a vast assembly of devotees.
From Moral Decline to a Revival of Discipline
Among the great Acharyas who elevated the Jain tradition to its highest glory, Dada Gurudev stands out as an extraordinary and luminous figure. With his firm resolve, discriminating wisdom, and revolutionary vision, he eradicated the distortions, misconduct, and laxity that had crept into the Jain order over time. Such was the power of his exemplary conduct that even monks residing in Chaityalayas (temple dwellings) were inspired to return to the pure path of Vasativas – the disciplined way of monastic life prescribed by tradition.
Divine Insight and the Title of Yug-Pradhan (Leader Of an era)
Dada Gurudev imparted spiritual guidance to many kings and rulers of his time, including Maharaja Kumarpal of Tribhuvangiri and Maharaja Arnoraj of Ajmer. His spiritual practice was so deep and radiant that multitudes of celestial beings were said to remain in his divine presence. Historical accounts mention that five Pirs, fifty-two Veers, sixty-four Yoginis, and both the dark and fair Bhairavas were among his devoted followers. So moved were the sixty-four Yoginis by his spiritual power that they blessed him with seven divine boons.
Once, moved by the intense penance of a devotee named Nagadev, Goddess Ambika wrote a verse in a secret script upon his hands and said, ‘He who can read this verse shall be recognized as the spiritual leader of this age.’ When Nagadev approached Dada Gurudev with the verse, Gurudev read it effortlessly in an instant, applied sacred vasa-churna (holy powder) upon it, and his disciple then read aloud:
Dāsānudāsā iva sarvadevāḥ yadīya pādābjatalē luṭhanti,
Marusthalī kalpataruḥ sa jīyāt, Yugapradhāno Jinadattasūriḥ!
(‘May he, under whose lotus feet all the divine beings bow in humility – may that wish-fulfilling tree in the desert, the Yug-Pradhan Jinadattasuri, ever be victorious!’)
From that moment onward, Dada Jinadattasuri came to be revered as the Yug-Pradhan – the foremost spiritual leader of his era.
Miraculous Power of Speech and Divine Attainments
The words and conduct of Dada Gurudev radiated a divine energy – a living miracle in themselves.
Once, in the city of Vikrampur, founded by Emperor Vikramaditya, a devastating epidemic had spread. Hundreds of people were succumbing to it daily. Through the spiritual force of Gurudev’s penance and purity, the calamity subsided. The sprinkling of water sanctified by his mantra brought complete relief – the epidemic vanished entirely.
On another occasion, while Gurudev was entering the city of Uchchanagar amidst an overflowing crowd of devotees, a young boy was accidentally trampled underfoot. Shock and despair spread through the gathering. Gurudev, moved by compassion, uttered the commanding words, ‘Utho, Vatsa!’ (‘Rise, my child!’). Instantly, the boy stood up unharmed. Such instances of the miraculous efficacy of Gurudev’s words were many and wondrous.
He demonstrated his Stambhini Vidya (power to still natural forces) by halting a bolt of lightning beneath a vessel. He dispelled a grave affliction in Rudrapalli using the sacred text Gandhara Saptatika, filled with mantras and mystical knowledge. He protected the residence of Abhoo Bhansali by circling it with consecrated dust empowered through his mantras. A dead cow lying before a Jain temple arose to life at the mere glance of Gurudev. A poisoned prince in Mandor regained consciousness and stood up the moment Gurudev looked upon him. And when a blind man humbly sought his grace, Gurudev sprinkled Vasakshep (sacred powder), and the man regained his sight.
Expansion of the Oswal Lineage
During his lifetime, Dada Gurudev enlightened countless souls – including many kings and rulers – guiding them toward samyaktva, the right understanding and way of living as taught in Jain Dharma. Through his spiritual grace and the sprinkling of consecrated Vasakshep (holy powder), he inspired and initiated over one lakh thirty thousand families, giving rise to and expanding the Oswal lineage.
In a single grand ceremony, under one sanctified pavilion, twelve hundred initiations took place simultaneously – five hundred men and seven hundred women embraced the vows of Bhagwati Diksha, accepting Gurudev as their spiritual master. Such a massive collective initiation had not been witnessed since the time of Gautam Swami during the era of Lord Mahavira himself.
Literary Contributions
The writings of Acharya Shri Jinadattasuri can be broadly classified into three categories:
1. Devotional Literature (Stuti-Parak Sahitya)
2. Instructive Literature (Upadeshik Sahitya)
3. Miscellaneous Treatises (Prakirnak Sahitya)
Among his devotional compositions, Gandhar Sārdha-Shataka stands out as a masterpiece of the highest order. Written in Prakrit, this work is remarkable both for its linguistic beauty and its profound devotional content. Similarly, the Gandhar Saptatika is another exceptional hymn of praise that reflects his deep reverence for the spiritual lineage. In the category of instructive works, his text Sandeha Dolāvali, composed in a question-and-answer format, provides clarity on many philosophical doubts. Works such as Utsūtra Padodghātana Kulak, Chaityavandana Kulak, and Upadesh Kulak also belong to this category, each written in an insightful and didactic style. He composed other significant works like Upadesh Dharma Rasayan, Kaal Swaroop Kulak, and Charchari in the common spoken tongue of his time – Apabhramsha – making them accessible to the people. These texts reflect his vast erudition, deep scriptural insight, and contemplative depth. At the close of this tradition, a verse celebrates his divine status:
‘Yug-Pradhan pad jan hitkāra, ambad mān churn kar dāra;
Māt Ambikā prakat Bhavānī, mantra kalādhārī guru gyānī.’
(‘Holder of the Yug-Pradhan title for the welfare of humanity, who dissolved ego into dust; Mother Ambika herself manifested as Bhavani – the Goddess who bestowed her mantra and knowledge upon the enlightened Guru.’)
The Final Miracle
In Vikram Samvat 1211, Dada Gurudev’s Chaturmas (four-month monastic retreat) was to be observed in Ajmer. When King Arnoraj of Ajmer and the entire Jain Sangh earnestly invited him, Gurudev replied, ‘I shall indeed come to Ajmer – not for a day, nor for a single Chaturmas – but forever. The land of Ajmer itself calls to me, for such is the message of destiny. And none can alter what destiny decrees.’
In fulfilment of this divine intuition, Gurudev arrived in Ajmer. On the auspicious morning of Ashadh Shukla 11, he undertook the sacred vow of fasting unto death (Anshan), chanting the Navkar Mahamantra as he entered deep meditation. Immersed in the stillness of pure awareness, Dada Gurudev peacefully departed from his mortal body, attaining the eternal abode.
Dada Gurudev and the Dadawadis
There is hardly a Jain today who is not familiar with the revered name of Dada Gurudev. Indeed, even those outside the Jain community know and venerate him with devotion. That is why, in countless corners of India, sacred places known as Dadawadis – shrines dedicated to Dada Gurudev – have become symbols of faith and peace. Those who visit these holy sites, whether consciously or not, experience an ineffable sense of calm and serenity – a silent presence that continues to bless all who remember him.
