Guṇabhadra (Jain monk)

Acharya Gunabhadra (fl. late 9th – early 10th century CE) was a Digambar Jain monk, scholar, and spiritual leader. He is best known as the co-author of the Mahapurana (Jainism), one of the most important Jain epic texts in Sanskrit literature. He was the disciple of Acharya Jinasena and played a pivotal role in continuing and completing the Jain narrative tradition in the Rashtrakuta period.^[1]

Acharya Gunabhadra
Personal life
Era	9th–10th century CE
Notable work(s)	Uttarapurana (co-author of the Mahapurana)
Religious life
Religion	Jainism
Sect	Digambara
Religious career
Teacher	Jinasena, Gunasena

Life

Gunabhadra belonged to the Digambara tradition and was active during the later part of the Rashtrakuta era. He was a direct disciple of Acharya Jinasena, who composed the Adipurana and part of the Mahapurana. After Jinasena’s death, Gunabhadra completed the remaining portion of the epic, the Uttarapurana.^[2]

Works

Uttarapurana

Gunabhadra's most renowned work is the Uttarapurana, which forms the second half of the Jain Mahapurana. While his teacher Jinasena authored the Adi Purana, Gunabhadra composed the Uttarapurana to continue the narrative of the remaining Tirthankaras. This work is a major source for Jain mythology, ethics, and hagiography.^{[citation needed]}

The combined Mahapurana (Jainism) (Adi + Uttara) became a model for later Jain Purāṇic literature and had a lasting impact on Jain culture in both Sanskrit and Kannada traditions.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

Gunabhadra is remembered for his literary contributions and his role in preserving and systematizing Jain doctrine through narrative texts. His authorship of the Uttarapurana ensured the completion of the Mahapurana corpus, which remains central to Digambara Jain literature and tradition.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• ⁠Adi Purana
• ⁠Jainism in Karnataka
• ⁠Jinasena
• ⁠Mahapurana (Jainism)
• ⁠Uttarapurana