Yuvacharya Mahaprajna
Acharyashree has all along forborne silently for the sake of religious harmony. He has done great sadhana to remain calm despite vitriolic propaganda against him. It has paid dividends. We find an allusion to such as incident on a page of his diary:
Mr. Trivedi, a reporter of Bombay Samachar, came to see me after my discourse today. He was sent by the editor, Mr. Sorawaji Bhai. He wanted to know what made some people hostile to us. He also wanted to know the secret behind our complete silence despite an organized campaign of vilification going on against us. Mr. Trivedi's article has appeared in Bombay Samachar Today. He has tried to clear some doubts. He states that his newspaper has decided, not to publish articles containing wild accusations in future. It is a good step in case they stick to their word.
The efforts of the people for bringing about religious harmony have begun to be lauded. Vijay Valalbh Suri ji has passed away. He extended his support to the idea of reconciliation. He has earned a name.
In order to promote goodwill among different sects a series of religious conferences were held. We had one such conference today. Prominient among those who attended it were Dr Warren, a Christian repiesentative, three Americans, Persians, Sambud-dhanandji, a Ramakrishna Missiona sanayasi, and some Arya Samaj leaders. I spoke at the end. Father Williams translated my speech into English. He did it so well. The conference was a great success.
It was in those very days that an article full of blemishes appeared in Bombay Samachar. Acharyashree refers to it in his diary and makes the following observation:
Bombay Samachar has published a long article in today's edition written by some Muniji. It is full of hostility and motivated insinuation. He has distorted some of the verses written by Acharya Bhikshu. It is the height of untruth. It makes a highly provocative reading and may cause annoyance to anyone. It is the worst example of tarnishing the fair image of other people. I do not think it fit to issue a rejoinder. How can we stoop so low as to vilify others? Let those who enjoy it do it. It, however, requires some clarification. Let me see how I can do it without harming anyone. Their vitriolic writings have evoked some reactions in others. They are being viewed with scorn and displeasure. Our silence has already begun to pay us.
Acharya Haribhadra has defined tyag (renunciation) as an act of abandoning a thing deliberately. Only an adept psychiatrist can imagine how tremendous power lies in a pledge. The secret of Acharyashree's success in life lies in his devotion to work, perseverance and a strong will to move towards the realization of his goal. He is advancing towards the accomplishment of his goal with resolute will. Whenever his march towards that direction came to a halt, he resumed his efforts with greater determination:
I could not write my diary for some days nor could I continue observing moun (silence) for some time every day. I have started it again now. Dhanji Sethia came from Bangalore and said, "Why did you give up observing moun? It should continue. It will mean rest, health and energy for work." I said, "I observed it for eight years continuously but it was discontinued when I was in U.P. I have decided to start it again." It thus began on Jaith Sudi Ekam.
