Editor Aparigraha Jain
Editor Carla Geerdes
22nd November 2006, 08:00 - 09:20
Ahimsa Yatra passes town streets
Ahimsa Yatra! These two words w0oke us up without alarm. We were happy to join Ahimsa Yatra for some days and eager to know what it is like to follow H.H. Acharya Mahaprajna on his march for non-violence. We supposed not to be the only ones, were nevertheless more than astonished to watch which different activities were linked to it. Short thereafter we heard a knock at the door. The driver and Sushil Surana were in front of the door! Swami Dharmanandji did send driver and car for us, which we used during our further stay in Rajasthan up to 26th November after arrival in Jaipur. We were very grateful to him, as this solved many organisation problems for us. For the moment, the driver only needed to sleep. He promised to join us in the afternoon in Mahatma to bringus back to Taranagar, as in Mahatma were no accommodation facilities for us. After frugal breakfast we went to Oswal Bhawan about 08:00.
Acharya Mahaprajna started Ahimsa Yatra at the age of 82 years on 5th December 2001 at Sujangrah, Rajasthan, India. The main objective of his Ahimsa Yatra is to concentrate the public attention on the message of Ahimsa (Non-Violence).
Police assesor Shri Shiv Ratan Godara and his female colleague with Karuna and a friend Karuna met already 7 years ago when she was first time in the cityWe wanted to be there from the beginning and observe the preparations start of Ahimsa Yatra.In front of Oswal Bhawan Karuna met an old friend from seven years ago. He was very happy to meet her again and said, “Now you are daughter of Taranagar, and Aparigraha is son-in-law of Taranagar!” Wonderful! We felt very honoured. Then we got into contact with a very kind police assessor who was in front of Oswal Bhawan for security reasons, asH.H. was official state guest of Rajasthani government. His female police officer smilingly agreed to join the photo. We made appointment with the assessor for further talk in the afternoon at his office.
Oswal Bhawan before start of Ahimsa Yatra
Members of Terapanth ladies organisation, Terapanth Mahila Mandal
Bus for transport of lay followers who are not able to walkOnly few people were gathered in front of Oswal Bhawan. After some time we noticed their continually increasing number. The first group to arrive were the ladies of MahilaMandal Taranagar in their orange-yellow saris. In a by-road we discovered the loudspeaker car.
Monks accompanying senior monks who cannot walk long distance to vehicle
Jain flagThe first Munis came out to look for a vehicle; they were happy participants but no longer happy walkers because of their age. Some young Munis would push their vehicle. Suddenly the whole space was filled with a praying and singing crowd, school girls, more ladies, communal dignitaries of town administration, everyone wanted to be present at the start of Ahimsa Yatra. Some students formed the group, which took care for the flag in rainbow colours. They swung it around while reciting prayers;sounds of prayers and Mantras came from every corner and they were recited with full heart.
H.H. Acharya Mahaprajnaji in his vehicle pulled by Yuvacharyashree & monks
Lay followers an Ahimsa YatraSuddenly there was some movement and it started. Everywhere Ahimsa Yatra passed, people came out of their houses, bowed down and asked Acharyashree to bless their houses. H.H. smiled to everyone and gave to everybody what he asked from him, with bright eyes and a smile on his face. It was impressing, people who were near to him forgot what they wanted, they just were happy. There was no sign of disease in his face, we admired his self-discipline, he was fully aware what this situation was for theOTHERS and did not care for himself, he lives what he preaches, “I am not my body.”
Lay followers marching with Ahimsa Yatra
Lay followers marching with Ahimsa YatraThe meanwhile many people followed him enthusiastically. We asked ourselves if they realised WHY he was on his way without caring for his body. Did they have an own understanding of what is going on or do they just follow a great soul on its Yatra because of his greatness?
The saints on Ahimsa Yatra
Acharyashree, Yuvacharyashree and the Munis formed an island of awareness and wisdom where the energy lifting us all up was generated.
Ahimsa Yatra leaving town
Ahimsa Yatra leaving townThe Yatra left town. Yuvacharyashree and the Munis pulling Acharyashree’s vehicle moved amazingly fleet-footed. Some of the lay followers gave up walking.
The saints are walking fast
Even the well trained hardly could follow.
Ahimsa Yatra leaving town
The white-clad saints reflected light and detachment.