Alternative spellings of this word include Achalabhrata.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: HereNow4u: Lord Śrī Mahāvīra

Acalabhrātā (अचलभ्राता) is the name of the ninth gaṇadhara (group-leader) of Mahāvīra.—A resident of Kauśala, hailing from the Hārīta gotra, Acalabhrātā was the Lord’s ninth gaṇadhara. His mother’s name was Nandā and his father’s name was Vasu. At the age of 46 he along with his 300 disciples attended the Lord’s samavaśaraṇa, and obtaining a satisfying reply from the Lord to his question on bad and good deeds, he accepted initiation. After observing severe penance and mediating he attained pure knowledge at the age of 58 years. After that, for 14 years, he wandered as a mendicant and at the age of 72, after a month-long fast, he attained nirvāṇa at the Guṇaśīla-caitya.

All these gaṇadharas (for example, Acalabhrātā) were Brahmins by caste and Vedic scholars. After taking initiation, they all studied the 11 Aṅgas. Hence, all of them had the knowledge of the 14 pūrvas and possessed special attainments (labdhis).

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Acalabhratar.

Full-text: Nanda, Vasu, Ganadhara.

Relevant text

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