22.01.2010 Sri Dungargarh - Morning Activities

It was a very special experience to wake up in Terapanth Bhawan of Sri Dungargarh, which we appreciated a lot. The organising committee (Acharya Mahapragya Pravas Vyastha Samity) Sri Dungargarh had not only welcomed, but also treated us as VIP visitors. The outer expression of this privilege was the accommodation in Terapanth Bhawan. While planning the trip we had contacted and asked them for support. They had responded positively and invited us to be their guests. H.H. Acharya Mahapragya, Yuvacharyashree and the majority of monks stayed at Terapanth Bhawan, and on the topmost floor some rooms were reserved for the accommodation of Sadhaks.

Like in many other cities, the 4-storeyed building had been erected in honour of H.H. Not only the building construction work had increased, the streets also were looking very different. In a large radius they have been upgraded. When we arrived at the small town on the eve of the previous day we almost did not recognise it. So much Sri Dungargarh had changed. The stay of the many visitors to come had been planned meticulously. As a result it has become easy for all to approach the saints. Sri Dungargarh did not appear as a remote area during those days of Maryada Mahotsav 2010.

As promised there was a wake up knock at 06:30. We had a straight schedule for the last day of Maryada Mahotsav, which we wanted to start with the early morning function held by Yuvacharyashree. Wherever Yuvacharyashree stays, about 06:30 he is holding an early morning function for the spiritual benefit of the audience. Downstairs in the Assembly Hall of Terapanth Bhawan the audience was numerous and astonishingly silent. The many people hardly were audible. They silently waited for sunrise and honoured Yuvacharyashree with their stillness.

After some minutes, a group of monks came on the stage and bowed down before Yuvacharyashree. This gesture of respect in front of the audience similarly was representative for the assembly. Yuvacharyashree then left the stage for a short while, and after coming back recited the traditional verses of the early morning function. Many in the audience were familiar with the course of the function and accompanied it with their voices. After this the audience dispersed.

Muni Jayant Kumar (l), HereNow4U editor Karuna Jain Muni Kishan Lal ji (on chair) and a lay follower

Muni Neeraj Kumar Editors Karuna & Aparigraha Jain bowing down in front of Muni Neeraj Kumar

Many people frequented the corridors on the ground floor. It was an opportunity to meet the Munis and to receive their blessings before they went for alms. We asked in which room Muni Kishan Lal ji was staying and then hurried to the first floor to meet him. It was like yesterday that we had our recent encounter. After the exchange of some usual phrases he offered regular meditation sessions under his guidance to us for the time of our stay. A man in his middle ages who was sitting at his feet attracted our attention. While Munishree spoke with us he looked with his very clear eyes at the three of us. There was no movement in his face, no sign of like or dislike, he was very present and awake. Few people one meets have such an attitude and shamanistic vibrancy. We did not meet him again and even do not know his name. He apparently was in some close, although detached relation with Munishree. Downstairs we saw Muni Neeraj Kumar ji of Muni Kishan Lal ji’s group and greeted him respectfully.

Shri Ratan Lal ji Nahata from Tamkor, Rajasthan, and HereNow4U editor Karuna Jain talking

All around us also used the opportunity to exchange news with people not seen for quite some time. Shri Ratan Lal ji Nahata from Tamkor was one of these encounters. We had met for the first time in 2005 at JVB London where Shri Ratan Lal ji had visited Samani Pratibha Pragya ji who before taking Diksha in worldly relations was his daughter. We heard that unfortunately Samani Pratibha Pragya ji’s health was not well and send best wishes for fast recovery.

HereNow4U editor Karuna Jain at Terapanth Bhawan Sri Dungargarh Camel chariot bringing fresh water in a tank seen from the patio of a room in Terapanth Bhawan Sri Dungargarh

View on the town from the patio of a room in Terapanth Bhawan Sri Dungargarh View on the town from the patio of a room in Terapanth Bhawan Sri Dungargarh

When we entered our room at the 4th floor of Terapanth Bhawan again, we saw it for the first time in full daylight. It simply was beautiful with bathroom and patio. From the patio we enjoyed the view on Sri Dungargarh. Downstairs a camel chariot had arrived with a big water tank on it. The fresh water in the tank was conducted through a tube to the place where it was needed.

Sri & Srimati S. M. Jain Surat (3. l, 2.r) invited for breakfast (F. l.) Conrad Zieme, a friend, S. M. Jain Surat, a relative, Smti Jain Surat, 4 friends, editor Karuna Jain

It was time to meet with Mr. S. M. Jain Surat who kindly had invited us for breakfast. He took us to the accommodation where his wife with the help of some friends had improvised a nourishing travellers meal with fruits, cereals, and nuts. It is admirable how Jain families abroad succeed in being hospitable and offering a wholesome meal under the most different circumstances. When drinking the fresh water, we remembered the view on the camel chariot with water from the patio of our room and were grateful to all the people having cooperated for providing fresh water to all. We took farewell and hurried to Muni Mahendra Kumar ji who had granted some time to us.