Bhadrabahu - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Bhadrabahu (c. 367-298 BCE) stands as one of the most influential figures in Jain history, revered as the last Shruta Kevalin—a master possessing complete knowledge of the ancient Jain scriptures—and a pivotal figure in the preservation of Jain philosophical traditions. Known alternatively as Bhadrabahu I or Bhadrabahu Swami, he emerges from historical records as both a religious leader and a prescient sage whose prophecies would shape the migration patterns of entire communities.
The earliest reliable references to Bhadrabahu appear in Jain texts from the 4th century BCE, placing him during the tumultuous period following Alexander the Great's incursion into India and the rise of the Mauryan Empire. Contemporary accounts describe him as the last acharya (teacher) to have complete knowledge of the fourteen Purvas, the oldest known Jain texts, making him a crucial link in the chain of oral tradition that would eventually form the foundation of written Jain doctrine.
Perhaps most famously, Bhadrabahu is credited with foreseeing a twelve-year famine in northern India, which led him to guide a significant migration of Jain monks and laypeople to southern India, specifically to Shravanabelagola in modern-day Karnataka. This migration, accompanied by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya who had renounced his throne to become Bhadrabahu's disciple, represents a fascinating intersection of political and religious history. His authorship of various texts, including the Niryuktis (earliest commentaries on Jain texts) and the Kalpa Sutra, demonstrated his profound influence on Jain scriptural tradition.
The legacy of Bhadrabahu continues to resonate in contemporary Jain practice and scholarship. The cave where he is said to have attained samadhi (death through meditation) in Shravanabelagola remains a significant pilgrimage site, while his predictions and teachings continue to be studied and debated. Modern interpretations of his life highlight themes of environmental awareness, ethical leadership, and the relationship between political power and spiritual pursuit—themes that remain remarkably relevant in today's world. The enigmatic relationship between Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya, in particular, continues to intrigue historians, raising questions about the complex interplay between temporal and spiritual authority in ancient India.