Acharya Mahashramana - A Living Mahavira

On the occasion of

Acharya Mahashramana - A Living Mahavira

God will not do man's work. Man cannot do God's work. When it is god plus man plus man's faith in his trustworthy God, then the possibilities are limitless. Acharya Mahapragya by himself wouldn't have cared to take his wisdom to the world. Acharya Mahashraman, by himself couldn't have achieved the present state. It is due to the energy of Acharya Tulsi and Mahapragya plus the efforts of Acharya Mahashramana plus the faith Acharya Mahashramana has on his God i.e. Lord Mahavira caused a renaissance in the world. So the miraculous combination of Energy + Effort + Faith in Acharya Mahashramana's life is the main cause of the development of his multi-dimensional personality.

Acharya Mahashramana is an amalgam of multi-faceted personality, i.e. fountain of compassion, unconditional devotion, childish straight forwardness, tolerant and equanimous like Mahavira, impressive orator, an eminent writer, an ideal saint, a propagator of ahimsa, a versatile scholar, an extempore poet, effective spiritual leader, management guru and a symbol of peace and humanity. In brief, he is a living Mahavira. So the efforts will be made to highlight the multi-dimensional personality of Acharya Mahashramana in the mirror of living Mahavira. Acharya Mahashramana's life is a true reflection of strong determination and sadhana, which on the other hand mirrors the Mahavira within him.

The present scenario is plagued with problems concerning the individual and the society. Acharya Mahashramana's life based on Mahavira's ideology has both the scientific and spiritual solution to all our problems. These solutions certify that Mahavira's teachings are relevant even today. Though Jainism doesn't believe in the reincarnation of liberated souls like vedantins, still it seems Mahavira has taken reincarnation in the form of Acharya Mahashramana in order to give a remedial solution to the world wide problems, through inspiring literature, motivational oration, outstanding life style and ahimsa March on foot. Let us proceed to explain one by one.

Acharya Mahashramana’s pure and serene aura is a source of peace and inspiration for all his devotees. It is by a noble smile rather than big speeches that he incorporates difference. His sermons are short, simple and understandable to all and pregnant with the deep thinking. He is an eloquent commentator of the aphorisms of the holy Jain texts as well as other religions holy texts. Recently he delivered sermon on comparative study of Buddhist text Dhamapada with the Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Hindu text Bhagavad Gita with the Sambodhi of Acharya Mahapragya has especially attracted and influenced all the people of different religions. Everyday lectures of him are listened by lakhs of people through Sanskar channel and many learned scholars are mesmerised by his versatile scholarly speech on spiritual texts. His pronunciation is really very clear and he utters full words and gives sufficient pause in between the words and follows the correct linguistic tools. He has learnt innumerable sutras of Jain canons and other religious texts like Bhagavad Gita etc. His speech has the combination of moral stories and recitation of Sanskrit couplets that influences the audience. He never speaks unnecessarily. As per his view, 'silence is nothing but restrain over unnecessary speech'. Not only this, he is honest and always speaks truth in all the life situations. That's why whatever he speaks, naturally happens in reality. Thus his disciplined words become contemplative statements.

Acarya Mahashramana is a man of literature. He is a celebrated scholar of Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Rajasthani and English. He is credited with making the Jain literature relevant to the contemporary times. He has enriched the Hindi Literature by writing many books namely, 'Dhammo Mangal Mukkhitam', 'Aao Hum Jina Sikhen", "Dukha Mukti ka Marg", "Kya Kahata Hai Jain Vangmay", Rashmiya Arhat Vangmay ki, "Samvad Bhagvan Se", "Suki Koun", "Sampanna Bano", "Shilanyansa Dharma Ka", “Roj Ki Ek Salah” etc. His inspiring language has moulded many hearts and his thought provoking interpretation of the aphorisms of Jain canonical texts is really very appealing and motivating.

He is also a great learned Sanskrit scholar. He has an in depth knowledge of Sanskrit grammer. His standard usage of Sanskrit language really gives bliss whosoever reads his book 'Shemushi', a collection of moral stories. This book is also translated into English language with the nomenclature of "Insight". One of the great pandit commented that such a lucid language of story writing in Sanskrit language is very rare. "Bhikshu Vani" and "Shiksha Sudha" - these two books are written in the Sanskrit couplet form highlighting the teachings of Acharya Bhikshu, the founder of Terapanth sect and the general rules and regulations of monkhood life successively. Not only Sanskrit literary works are written by him, but he has composed many inspirational and devotional songs and poems now and then as per the need of the hour. The collection of Hindi songs can be found in his book called "Saparya".

He is also an editor of the "Bhikshu Vangmaya" and "Jain Paribhashik Shabdakosh" which illuminates his scholarship in Jain philosophy. The Dictionary of Jain technical words is edited with the deep study of Jain canons and he introspected deeply on each word before rendering its meaning. This authentic work has given him great name and fame in the world of Jain and non-Jain philosophers. In brief, one can see a reflection of the teachings of Mahavira in his works as well as in his life. That's why he is also known as a living Mahavira. Thus his revolutionary ideas found in his literary works are capable enough to solve the present burning familial and social problem that is faced by the entire human race.

Glorious in peace, sharp in silence, humble in learning, speciality in simplicity, compassionate in leadership, dispassionate in emotions, management guru in handling efficiently the prevailing situations of the entire Terapanth order is the brief introduction of 50 years old Acharya Mahashramana previously known as Mahashraman Muni Mudit and Yuvacharya Mahashramana. He possesses an extraordinary genius and deep insight and intuition. Extreme suppression of emotions through one's sadhana and complete dedication towards the two mentors Tulsi and Mahapragya can be considered unique features of his singular personality. Under an able guidance of Acharya Tulsi and Acahrya Mahapragya, he got his education and proved himself as an ardent disciple. Due to his extra-ordinary characteristics Muni Mudit leaded many elder monks in the Terapanth sect and became Mahashramana at the age of 28 years. In 1997, at the age of 35 years, he became the Yuvacharya, the successor designate to the present acharya in Gangashahar after the demise of Acharya Tulsi.

After gracing this pious post, Yuvacharya Mahashramana won the confidence of the Acharya Mahapragya through his dedicated works and effective management skills. He remained in this post for near about 15 years and carefully undergone the duties rendered to him and proved himself the most capable dedicated, service motive nature and hardworking yuvacharya of the Terapanth sect. That's why Acharya Mahapragya adored him with the name entitled 'Mahatapasvi' i.e. the great auestrious by looking at his untiring efforts undertaken to satisfy the wishes of the lay followers and looking at his extreme restrain over five senses and restrain over food habits. Not only this, when he was interviewed about his day-to-day schedule and when it became clear that he devotes most of the precious time among the lay followers, while earlier he was fond of living in isolation. He explained that now my world view has been transformed, I consider that the lay followers are like God and to serve people is really to serve God. Thus his life itself is a message and the living example of 'simple living and high thinking'. Many persons often complain that due to the shortage of time, they were unable to accomplish particular goal. But the Time Management of him recalls us the punctual life of Acarya Tulsi and Acharya Mahapragya who contributed a lot for the moral, social and spiritual upliftment of the entire human race. Not only this, but the Life Management verses Self-Management, People Management, Resource Management, Diet Management of Acharya Mahashramana really paves to be the solution to stress prone people undergoing many psycho-somatic diseases like anxiety depression, frustration etc. So his dispassionate personality accompanied with spiritual management compels us to call him a living Mahavira.

Ahimsa is the absolute truth. Its importance was there in the past, is there in the present and will always be there in future. Non-violence is not only a religious practice needed outside this world, but it is also required in our day to day practical life. That's why, it is said 'Parasparopagraho Jivanam' i.e., Living beings exist with mutual support. So the society and the world cannot function without non-violence, even for the survival of one's own being, non-violence is must. To spread the deep philosophy of Mahavira’s non-violence in applied form, Acharya Mahashramana has decided to restart the Ahimsa March as per the need of the hour and at present he is on the Ahimsa March. According to the view of Acharya Mahashramana, the main objectives of this Ahimsa March on foot are:

1. To build up a non-violent and addiction free society.
2. To spread the message of Ahimsa all over the world.
3. To promulgate a feeling of morality among the people.
4. To bring the international groups working for N.V. together.
5. To make the people aware about the effects of violence on society and the world.

This Ahimsa yatra has been regarded as one of the most significant and historical expedition of the present era and it has been well received and welcomed by most of the top dignitaries like President Pratibha Patil, Ex- president A.J.P. Abdul Kalam, Anna Hazare, Shivaraj Patil. Lal Krishna Adwani so on so forth personalities of the country. The heads of various religious sects have also actively participated in this yatra. This non-violence march directed by Acharya Mahashramana impresses the general masses. As this march is carried on foot, people of every caste, group and sect are participating actively in this yatra. They are influenced by the way, Acharya Mahashramana mingles among them, while motivating to give up their bad habits. Due to his powerful Aura, many rural people are undertaking the path of restraint from drinking and addictions. Acharya Shri is quite confident and hopeful that all the people who are concerned with the holistic development of non-violent and moralistic and a healthy society will certainly come forward and play an active role and participate in this Ahimsa Yatra. It is his firm belief that unless the consciousness of Ahimsa is awakened, the pollution free environment and armament free atmosphere can't be brought into reality. Acharya Mahashramana says that unless and until one is ready to sacrifice and curtail his desires and materialistic comforts especially the politicians and top dignitaries of the society, problems like poverty, corruption, injustice, crime and region and religious conflicts cannot be solved. These can be solved only by awakening the consciousness of self-restrain and just by training the basic principles of religion and social system.

In nutshell, it can be said that Acharya Mahashramana possesses the virtues of Mahavira, in the form of truthful speech and inspirational oration, dispassionate and self-disciplined life style by rendering holistic solution of individual-familial-social-national and international problems through ahimsa March. His spiritual-cum-social literature moulds the mind-set and incorporates difference in the hearts and lives of the people and helps in establishing happy and harmonious family, peaceful co-existence among the nations. His eco-friendly life style based on ahimsa is a living message. So he can be called as a living Mahavira and a saint at par excellence.