Acharya Bhadrabahu, the last Shrutakevali (omniscient teacher of the Jain tradition), and the eighth successor in the lineage of Bhagawan Mahavira, was born in his pre-monastic life in the city of Kaundinya, as the son of Somasharma and Somashri, in a royal priestly family.

He was a great scholar, well-versed in the 12 Angas and 14 Purvas (sacred Jain scriptures). With a group of 12,000 disciples, Bhadrabahu entered the city of Ujjain. Upon learning of the arrival of these revered monks, Emperor Chandragupta Maurya offered them proper respect and devotion.

A few days later, Chandragupta had 16 ominous dreams. When he consulted Bhadrabahu for their interpretation, Bhadrabahu revealed their meanings. Consequently, Chandragupta Maurya, along with 12,000 monk-disciples led by Bhadrabahu, traveled south and settled in what is today Shravanabelagola.

Realizing that the end of his life was near, Bhadrabahu sent the 12,000 disciples across Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India to spread religious teachings and promote spiritual welfare.

Chandragupta Maurya, having renounced worldly life and taken the monastic name Prabhachandra Muni, remained with Bhadrabahu. Both the guru and the disciple undertook Sallekhana (voluntary peaceful death through fasting) in a cave now known as Bhadrabahu Cave on Chandragiri hill, in what was then known as Kalvappu or Katavapra — the present-day Shravanabelagola.