What is gandhar bhagvant

In Jainism, Gandhar Bhagvant refers to the chief disciples of Lord Tirthankaras. The word "Gandhar" (sometimes spelled "Ganadhar") comes from "Gana" (group or assembly) and "dhar" (holder or leader), meaning the leader of the group of monks. "Bhagvant" is an honorific term meaning "revered" or "holy."

Roles and significance:

• Each Tirthankara, after attaining Keval Jnana (omniscience), gives sermons (Divya-dhwani), which are often very deep and complex.
• The Gandharas are the principal disciples who have the highest intellectual and spiritual capacity to understand these sermons in their entirety.
• They interpret and explain the Tirthankara's teachings to the other monks, nuns, and lay followers.
• They are also credited with compiling the Jain Agamas (scriptures) based on the teachings they received from the Tirthankara.

For example, Lord Mahavira had eleven Gandharas, the chief among them being Gautam Swami.

In summary: Gandhar Bhagvant are the revered chief disciples of a Tirthankara, responsible for understanding, preserving, and disseminating Jain teachings.