Bhadrabahu is considered to be the last expert of fourteen Purvas, of last Anga called Drstivada, one of the scriptures of Jainism.
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He is more famously known as a spiritual teacher of Chandragupta Maurya and author of several texts related to Jainism, including some of the most important works, Upsargahara Stotra and Kalpasutra.
In Jainism, the third part of the classical Jain text Kalpa Sutra, written by Bhadrabahu I in 1st century CE, deals with rules for ascetics and laws during the four months (chaturmas) of the rainy season, when ascetics temporarily abandon their wandering life and settle down amidst the laity.
The origin of this list of brothers can be traced to the Jinacaritra by Bhadrabahu (c. 3rd–4th century BCE).
Some scholars believe that Jain philosophy must have entered South India some time in 6th century B.C. Literary sources and inscription state that Bhadrabahu came over to Shravanabelagola with a 12000-strong retinue of Jain sages when north India found it hard to negotiate with the 12 year long famine in the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
Jaini traces the origin of this list of brothers to the Jinacaritra (lives of the Jinas) by Bhadrabahu swami (3-4th century BCE).