Achalgacchadhipati Dadashri Gautamsagarsuriji - Book Summary

This document is a biographical account of Achalgacchadhipati Dada Shri Gautam Sagar Suriji Maharaj Saheb, written by Bhurchand Jain. It highlights his significant contributions to Jainism, particularly his role in reviving and strengthening the Achalgacch sect.

Here's a comprehensive summary:

Introduction:

Jainism has always been dedicated to preserving Indian culture through its principles of truth, non-violence, non-possession, non-stealing, and celibacy.
Numerous saints, scholars, monks, and nuns have played a vital role in spreading these teachings, enriching India's ancient literature, culture, archaeology, and history.
Beyond literary contributions, their exemplary lives and service to the public have been a unique contribution, inspiring faith and well-being.
The construction of religious institutions by these individuals has made them centers of spiritual devotion and welfare.

Dada Shri Gautam Sagar Suriji Maharaj Saheb's Role in Achalgacch:

Dada Shri Gautam Sagar Suriji Maharaj Saheb played a crucial role in reviving the Achalgacch tradition.
He faced opposition from those who sought to lead him astray and break the unity of his monastic community.
However, his foresight, strong convictions, hard work, unwavering faith, and organizational prowess helped him overcome these challenges.
It is due to him that the Achalgacch continues to contribute significantly to Jainism, Indian religious, literary, cultural, historical, and archaeological fields.

Early Life and Spiritual Journey:

Born in Pali, Rajasthan, in VS 1920 (1863 CE) as Gulabmal to Shri Dhirmal and Kshemal Devi, he possessed a charming appearance and a sweet voice.
At the age of five, Pali faced a severe famine, highlighting the resilience of humanity and the compassion of religious figures.
During this time, Yati Shri Dev Sagar, a proponent of Achalgacch, visited Pali. A friendship developed between him and Gulabmal's father.
Gulabmal, showing an early inclination towards renunciation, expressed a desire to wear the Yati's attire. Yati Shri Dev Sagar recognized his potential as a future spiritual leader with strong organizational skills.
With the consent of his parents, five-year-old Gulabmal was entrusted to Yati Shri Dev Sagar in VS 1925 (1868 CE).
Under Yati Dev Sagar's guidance, Gulabmal was renamed Gyanchand, excelling in his studies and showing a deep curiosity for Jain philosophy.
Recognizing his potential for service to the Jain world, Yati Swaroopsagar guided Gyanchand to further his spiritual pursuits under Yati Dev Sagar.
Though not formally initiated as a monk, Gyanchand adopted many Jain vows, studied numerous religious texts, and became proficient in various disciplines.

Initiation and Preaching:

In VS 1940 (1883 CE), on Vaishakh Sudi Ekadashi, Gyanchand formally received Jain Yati (monk) initiation from Acharya Shri Vivek Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb in Mahim, Mumbai, becoming known as Yati Gautam Sagar.
He openly advocated for liberation through renunciation and austerity, rejecting superstition and ostentation.
He completed Chaturmas (four-month retreats) in various places like Devpur (Kutch), Mudra, Godhra, and Shirdi, where his discourses and organizational ideas attracted the public.
In VS 1946 (1889 CE), he received his formal Muniji diksha (ordination as a monk) in Pali at the Navlakha Shri Parshwanath Temple.
He continued his Chaturmas in places like Bidada, Paru, Kodam, and Bhuj. In Bhuj (VS 1949), he began his organizational work by initiating Muni Uttamsagar, Muni Gunsagar, Sadhvi Shivshri, Uttamshri, and Lakshmishri.

Ordination of Monks and Nuns:

Between VS 1949 (1892 CE) and VS 2008 (1951 CE), he initiated over 80 young girls and women as Jain Sadhvis, listing many of them by name and the year of their initiation.
He also ordained approximately fourteen individuals as Jain Sadhus and accepted about four other Sadhus into his community, listing their names and years of joining or initiation.
His disciples, in turn, initiated many others into Jain monasticism.

Revival of Achalgacch and Contributions:

He made a significant contribution to reviving the Achalgacch (the " विधिपक्ष " or "legalistic" tradition within Jainism), which had a small number of monks and nuns.
Under his guidance, his disciples successfully initiated many new monks and nuns.
The current Achalgacchadhipati, Kacchkeshari Acharya Shri Gunsagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb, is a disciple of Shri Nit Sagarji Maharaj Saheb, who was himself a disciple of Dada Shri Gautam Sagar.
After his full diksha in VS 1949, he conducted Chaturmas in numerous locations, including Jamnagar, Bhuj, Sutri, Godhra, Palitana, Naliya, Mumbai, and others, playing a vital role in the widespread propagation of Jain principles.
His captivating oratory, truthful speech, sharp intellect, and inspiring ideology drew large crowds.
He was a central figure in Jain organizational strength, and wherever he traveled, the Jain community benefited from constructive and religious activities.

Recognition and Opposition:

His fame as a brilliant, virtuous, knowledgeable, and organizational leader spread far and wide.
He faced opposition from religious figures who were entrenched in superstition and extravagance.
He consistently emphasized simple living and rigorous austerity, which garnered the support of the public.
He also encouraged the re-engagement of those who had left the monastic path.

Temple Construction and Preservation:

He played a crucial role in the construction, renovation, and consecration of numerous religious institutions and temples, with his inspiration.
He oversaw temple constructions and consecrations in places like Narayanpur, Navagam, Bandhi, Devpur, Padana, Modpur, Naliya, Layja, Rayan, and Godhra, contributing to Indian archaeology and history.
He also facilitated the installation of statues of Acharya Shri Kalyan Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb in various Jain temples across Gujarat and Saurashtra.
Due to his immense contributions to temple consecrations and the strengthening of the Achalgacch, the general public began addressing him as 'Achalgacchadhipati'.
Despite the Chaturvidh Sangh's (four-fold Jain community) request for him to accept the title of Acharya, he initially declined.
In VS 2008 (1951 CE), during the golden jubilee of the Jinlay at Ramaniagra (Kutch), the vast assembly unanimously hailed him with titles like "Acharya Gautam Sagarsurishwarji Maharaj," "Achalgacchadhipati Acharya Shri Gautam Sagarsurishwarji Maharaj Saheb," and "Dada Shri Gautam Sagarsurishwarji Maharaj."

Austerities and Literary Contributions:

His renunciation and austerities were remarkable, including undertaking Atthai (eight-day fasts) and Varshitap (annual fasts).
He inspired the establishment of extensive libraries of handwritten and printed texts in places like Jamnagar, Bhuj, and Mandvi, promoting literary and archaeological creation.
He was instrumental in founding the "Shri Arya Rakshit Pustakoddhar Sanstha" in Jamnagar, which published numerous books.

Pilgrimages and Legacy:

He undertook numerous spiritual journeys to various Jain pilgrimage sites across India, contributing to their development.
He visited prominent pilgrimage sites in Gujarat and Saurashtra like Palitana, Shankheshwar Parshvanath, Taladhwajgiri, Kutch Panchtirthi, Bhadra Sar, Ghritkalol Parshvanath, Bhoyani, Tarangaji, and Girnar multiple times.
He also traveled extensively in Rajasthan, visiting pilgrimage sites such as Pabu, Nandiya, Lotana, Bamanwari, Sirohi, Korta, Ranakpur, Muchhala Mahavir, Nadol, Nadlai, Varkana, Kesariyaji, Udaipur, and Delwara.

Demise:

Achalgacchadhipati, Kutch Halal Deshoddharak, Rajasthan Purushratna, Gyanpunj Dada Shri Gautam Surishwarji Maharaj passed away in Kutch, Bhuj, on the night of Vaishakh Sudi Terash in VS 2009 (1952 CE).

Enduring Influence:

Though he is no longer physically present, the knowledge he imparted to the Jain world, particularly the Achalgacch, continues to thrive.
Under the guidance of Acharya Shri Gun Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb, the Achalgacch continues to propagate truth, non-violence, non-possession, celibacy, and non-stealing, along with the principles of renunciation and austerity.
Acharya Shri Gun Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb is diligently nurturing the Achalgacch monastic tradition founded by Dada Shri Gautam Sagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb.
Currently, under his guidance, 16 Sadhus and 125 Sadhvis are actively spreading the message of "Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" (Non-violence is the supreme religion) across the country.