Bhadrandiikumar (भद्रन्दीकुमार)

अट्ठमस्स उक्खेवो ।

The introduction of the eighth chapter.

This is the standard opening marker that announces the beginning of the eighth chapter. Each chapter in the Sukha Vipaak opens with this brief formula identifying its number in the sequence. This marker serves as a structural signpost for both the reader and the reciter, especially important in an oral tradition where people listened to these teachings recited aloud. It signals that the previous story has concluded and a new narrative is about to begin. Notably, this chapter shares its protagonist's name — Bhadranandi — with Chapter 2, but the two stories involve entirely different individuals, in different cities, with different families, different past lives, and different supporting characters. That repetition of the name "Bhadranandi" (which means "one who rejoices in good" or "auspicious joy") is itself a teaching: the same virtuous qualities — goodness, auspiciousness, joy in dharma — can manifest in many different souls across many different lifetimes and places. The law of karma does not favor one particular person. Any soul that acts with virtue will experience the fruit of virtue. Chapter 8 is proof of that universal applicability: here is another Bhadranandi, in another world, following the same path to the same destination.

The simple version: This line simply marks the start of the eighth chapter.

सुघोसं णयरं। देवरमणं उज्जाणं। वीरसेणो जक्खो। अज्जुणो राया। तत्तवई देवी। सिरीदेवी पामोक्खाणं पंचसयाणं रायवरकण्णगाणं पाणिग्गहणं। तित्थयरागमणं। पुव्वभव पुच्छा। महाघोसे णयरे। धम्मघोसे गाहावई। धम्मसीहे अणगारे पडिलाभिए जाव सिद्धे। णिक्खेवो जहा पढमस्स। ।। अट्ठमं अज्झयणं समत्तं ।।

"In the city of Sughosa. The Devramana garden. The guardian spirit was Virasena. The king was Arjuna. The queen was Tattavai Devi. He married Siridevi, chief among five hundred princesses. The Tirthankara arrived. The question of previous births was asked. In the city of Mahaghosha. The householder Dharmghosha. The monk Dharmasimha was encountered, leading all the way to liberation. The closing is as in the first chapter. The eighth chapter is complete."

This sutra tells the complete story of a second Prince Bhadranandi — entirely distinct from the Bhadranandi of Chapter 2. This Bhadranandi was born in the city of Sughosa (meaning "sweet sound" or "pleasant resounding"), where the garden was called Devramana ("the divine resting place") and the guardian spirit was Virasena ("army of the brave"). His father was King Arjuna and his mother was Queen Tattavai Devi. The prince married Siridevi, who was chief among five hundred royal maidens. When Lord Mahavira arrived in the city, Bhadranandi sought teachings and asked about his previous births — the same question asked in every chapter of the Sukha Vipaak, because it is the right question: why do I have this good fortune? What did I do to deserve this? Lord Mahavira reveals the answer through his omniscient knowledge: in a former life, this Bhadranandi had been a householder named Dharmghosha ("voice of dharma") in the city of Mahaghosha ("great sound"). In that life, he had encountered a monk named Dharmasimha ("lion of dharma"), heard the teachings of truth, practiced generosity and moral conduct, and through the merit accumulated across those years of faithful living, was reborn into his current royal circumstances. The text closes with the formula "jav sidde" — "all the way to liberation" — confirming that Bhadranandi will not squander his good fortune. He will use it as a platform for renunciation and will eventually attain moksha. The repetition of the name Bhadranandi across two chapters of this scripture carries a deliberate and important teaching: the path to liberation is not reserved for one unique, specially chosen individual. Different souls, in completely different cities, with different families and entirely different past lives, all arrive at the same destination through the same practice of right conduct and sincere renunciation.

The simple version: Prince Bhadranandi of Sughosa city — a different person from the Bhadranandi in Chapter 2 — was born to King Arjuna and Queen Tattavai. In his past life as the householder Dharmghosha in Mahaghosha city, he had met the monk Dharmasimha and practiced righteousness. He followed Lord Mahavira's path and was assured of liberation.