Hemachandra

Hemachandra Biography

Acharya Hemachandra was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who lived in the 11^th century. A scholar with great depth in knowledge, he achieved the title - Kalikal Sarvagya which literally means "all-knowing of the Kali Yuga”. He was a preacher of Jainism. Hemachandra wrote philosophy, grammars of Sanskrit and Prakrit and texts on science and logic, which are treasured to be great Indian works. As a mathematician, his best contribution is the presentation of an earlier version of the Fibonacci sequence. Kavyanushasana, Dvyashraya Mahakavya, Abhidhana-chintamani, Desinamamala and Siddha-haima-shabdanushasana are among his noted works.

He was born in Dhandhuka, Gujarat in 1089 as Chandradeva. He was initiated to monk at a younger age by Devachandra and gave him the new name – Somachandra. He mastered the darshanas, scriptures, nyaya, grammar, and at the age of 21, he was ordained as an Acharya of the Svetambara sect of Jainism. He also accepted the new name - Acharya Hemachandra. Very soon fame of Hemchandra's efficacy and knowledge gradually spread everywhere. Hemachandra rose to prominence under the reign of Siddharaja, where he served as an advisor. He also served as an advisor of the successor Kumarpal. Kumarpal considered Hemchandra his spiritual teacher and guide, as his life was saved by Hemchandra once.

As a preacher of Jainism, he initiated the construction of the Jain temple at Taranga and Jainism was announced as the official religion of the state of Gujarat. Animal slaughter was also banned in the kingdom. Thus in a very short time, Gujarat became a center of non-violence, learning, and good culture. Though he believed in the principles of Jainism, he never hesitated to bow before god in a Siva temple, which surprised Brahmins a lot. He was the first one to put non-violence on a political platform and is regarded as one of the architects of Gujarat.  

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Updated: June 27, 2014