Hiravijaya was born into an Oswal Jain family in Palanpur, Gujarat, and lost his parents young. At about thirteen he took initiation under Vijayadana Suri, studied deeply, and was made an acharya in 1553; he went on to lead the Tapa Gaccha, then one of the largest Svetambara orders. Hearing of his learning and discipline, Emperor Akbar invited him to court, and in 1582 he arrived at Fatehpur Sikri, having travelled on foot as Jain monks do.
In conversations with Akbar and his minister Abul Fazl, Hiravijaya spoke about non-violence and compassion. Akbar issued farmans (royal orders) forbidding animal slaughter during the Paryushana days and removing the tax on pilgrims to Jain holy places such as Shatrunjaya, and he honoured Hiravijaya with the title Jagadguru, 'teacher of the world'. His disciples Shantichandra and Bhanuchandra remained at court. Hiravijaya passed away at Una in Saurashtra.
