Previous Year Question

Acharya Hiravijaya Suri was a celebrated Acharya of the Tapa Gaccha tradition of Shvetambara Jainism. He was a contemporary of Mughal emperor Akbar and developed an important religious and intellectual association with the Mughal court.

Because of Akbar's interest in religious discussions, scholars belonging to different religious traditions were invited to his court. In this context, Hiravijaya Suri was invited from Gujarat to Akbar's court around 1582 CE.

Following the discipline of a Jain ascetic, Hiravijaya Suri travelled on foot rather than using vehicles. Akbar was impressed by his strict ascetic discipline, scholarship and knowledge of Jain doctrine.

Akbar accorded Hiravijaya Suri considerable honour and conferred upon him the title “Jagadguru” or “Teacher of the World.” This indicates that his position at the court went beyond that of an ordinary religious visitor.

Hiravijaya Suri explained to Akbar particularly the Jain principles of Ahimsa, compassion towards living beings and restraint. In the wider context of Akbar's interaction with the Jain community, the emperor issued orders on certain occasions restricting animal slaughter and extending protection to Jain pilgrimage centres.

Hiravijaya Suri was not the only Jain teacher associated with Akbar's court. Later, Jinachandra Suri, Vijaysen Suri and other Jain scholars also interacted with Akbar, showing that imperial engagement with Jain teachers formed part of a broader religious policy.

Among the given options, the celebrated Jain Acharya who received exceptional honour from Akbar and was associated with the title “Jagadguru” was Hiravijaya Suri.