आचार्य वीरसेन और उनकी कालजयी टीका 'धवला'
Summary
The article discusses Acharya Veerasen (9th century CE, 816 CE) and his commentary 'Dhavala' on the Jain text Shatkhandagama. In ancient Brahmin and Shraman traditions, commentaries often presented the author's own perspective, making them independent works. Acharya Veerasen's 'Dhavala' commentary achieved this status, establishing him as a significant author. The Shatkhandagama, a foundational text on Karma theory in the Digambara tradition, has six sections: Jivatthan, Khuddabandha, Bandhaswamitva-vichaya, Vedana, Vargaṇa, and Mahabandha. The first five sections were composed by Acharya Pushpadanta and Acharya Bhutabali, with the sixth also by Bhutabali. While many commentaries exist on the first five sections, only Veerasen's commentary exists on the sixth, though it is a brief preface. Earlier commentaries on the Shatkhandagama include those by Acharya Kundakunda (Parikarma), Acharya Samantabhadra, and Acharya Shamakunda. Veerasen's 'Dhavala' is the fourth and final commentary, considered the most significant. Veerasen dedicated himself solely to writing the 'Dhavala' commentary, establishing a unique style. He authored only two commentaries: 'Dhavala' and the incomplete 'Jayadhavala'. The 'Jayadhavala' commentary on the Kashayapahuda text consists of 60,000 verses, with 20,000 by Veerasen and 40,000 by his disciple Acharya Jinasena. Veerasen's 'Dhavala' comprises 72,000 verses in a mixed Prakrit and Sanskrit style. He was inspired to write 'Dhavala' after studying Bappadeva's commentary, finding it incomplete and lacking clarity. Veerasen's commentaries are termed 'Upanibandhana', involving a critical and logical analysis of the subject. They are
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Conclusion
The implications of this document are profound for Jain scholarship, as it establishes Ācārya Vīrasena’s *Dhavalā* commentary not merely as an explanatory text but as an independent, authoritative work that redefines the Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama tradition. By demonstrating how Vīrasena’s innovative *sārjaka* (creative) and *prādhyāpana* (pedagogical) styles transformed commentary into a self-standing treatise, the text underscores a shift in how Jain doctrinal literature is preserved and interpreted. The outcome is a lasting legacy: the *Dhavalā* and *Jayadhavalā* have become synonymous with the original scriptures, now known as *Dhavalā-siddhānta* and *Jayadhavalā-siddhānta*, respectively. This elevates Vīrasena to a status comparable to Vyāsa in