Adarsh Tapasvi Namisagar - Book Summary

This document, titled "Adarsh Tapasvi Acharya Namisagar: Ek Parichay" (Ideal Ascetic Acharya Namisagar: An Introduction), is a biographical account of Acharya Namisagar, a prominent Jain monk. Here's a comprehensive summary of his life and achievements:

Early Life and Renunciation:

Birth and Name: Acharya Namisagar was born in 1888 in Shivpur village, South Karnataka, with the birth name 'Mhonappa Honappa'.
Parentage: His father was Yadhavrao and his mother was Kaladevi. He lost his father at the age of two and his mother at twelve.
Education: He showed little interest in formal education, often escaping school to spend days in the forest. He completed only the first two books of his Kannada studies.
Marriage and Family: He married at the age of 26 in 1914. After a gap of four years, his wife came to his home, and they had a child who passed away within three months. His wife also died three months later.
Turning Point: While engaged in his trading business (cotton, chilies, etc.), a profound incident occurred. While eating dinner in Jambgi village, he found two dead red insects in his food. This deeply disturbed him, leading to a realization of his own sinfulness and detachment from worldly life. He left his home and became a "samvegi shravak" (a lay follower with strong spiritual inclination).

Ascetic Journey:

Initial Asceticism: He remained a shravak for three years before taking 'Kshullaka Deeksha' (a lower form of monastic initiation) from Muni Raj Shri Adisagarji in Borgaon. Two years later, he received 'Ailaka Deeksha' (another intermediate stage). He spent five years in these stages.
Monastic Initiation (Sadhu Deeksha): In 1929, at Sonagirji (Madhya Pradesh), he received full monastic initiation from Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj, whom he considered his spiritual preceptor.
Vihars (Journeys) and Chaturmasas: From his Kshullaka stage onwards, he undertook numerous spiritual journeys (vihars) across India, covering vast distances. He spent 30 Chaturmasas (periods of four months spent in one place for spiritual practice, typically during the monsoon) in various cities and villages, traveling from the south to the north and west to the east of India. He covered approximately ten thousand miles on foot during these journeys, imparting spiritual and moral teachings to the public.
Acharya-ship: In 1944, he joined the Sangha (community of monks) of Acharya Kunthusagarji in Taranga. When the Sangha reached Dhariyawad, Acharya Kunthusagarji unexpectedly passed away. The Sangha then recognized Acharya Namisagar's exceptional austerities and other qualities and installed him as an 'Acharya' (a high-ranking spiritual leader).

Austerities and Renunciation (Tapasya and Tyaga):

Exceptional Austerities: Acharya Namisagar was renowned for his extreme austerities and sacrifices.
- In 1924, in Jaipur, he subsisted solely on 'kadhi' (a yogurt-based dish) for 8 months due to his inability to understand the local language.
- In Delhi (1931), he observed 21 days of fasting followed by 1.5 months of consuming only buttermilk.
- In Sardhana (Meerut) (1933), he drank only lemon juice for 36 days and consumed only sugarcane juice for two months.
- In Jer (Gujarat) (1940), during his Chaturmas, he observed 164 fasting days, consuming food only on 29 days over six and a half months – a practice known as 'Simha Vikridit Vrat' (a severe form of fasting).
- In Tankatunka (Gujarat) (1941), he observed the 'Sarvatobhadra Vrat', alternating fasting days from one to seven and back to one, resulting in only 49 days of eating and 245 fasting days in eight and a half months.
- In Ajmer (1947), he abstained from water for 2.5 months, consuming only buttermilk.
- In Beawar (1948), he abstained from water and consumed only grains.
- In Delhi (1935), he observed several periods of four consecutive fasts.
- In Delhi (1952), he abstained from food and water for 20 days, consuming only fruits. He also practiced austerities standing on one leg for months.
Renunciation of Salt and Six Tastes: He renounced salt at the age of 27-28 and gave up all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, astringent) for one year and nine months. His entire monastic life was characterized by profound renunciation and austerity.

Meditation and Spiritual Knowledge (Dhyan and Gyan):

Deep Meditation: He spent hours in meditation on the banks of the Yamuna River in Baghpat. He also spent many winter nights meditating on rooftops in Bada Gaon. He would enter deep meditative states for hours in the mountains of Pavagadh and Taranga.
Influence of Austerity: His spiritual strength had a tangible impact.
- In Jodhpur, he lost his eyesight, causing concern among the public. However, undeterred, he remained in meditation, abstaining from food and water. On the seventh day, through the power of his austerities and inner purity, his vision was restored. Even in the scorching desert heat, he would meditate for three hours in the sand, where ordinary people developed blisters on their feet.
- In Pipad (Jodhpur), he provided an opportunity for 5000 Harijans (Dalits) to receive his blessings and gave them a message to lead virtuous lives.
Respect for Leaders: Upon hearing of the passing of Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on December 15, 1950, he immediately gave up his meal and observed a fast, showing his deep respect and compassion.
Humility and Respect for Elders: His letters to Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj and Kshullak Ganeshprasadji Varni reveal his profound humility and respect for his spiritual elders, highlighting his appreciation for their virtues.

His Demise:

Mahasamadhi: Acharya Namisagar attained 'Mahasamadhi' (a peaceful and conscious passing away) on October 22, 1956, at 12:00 PM on the sacred land of Shri Sammed Shikharji (Parasnath Hills), a place of immense spiritual significance.
Pre-indication: He had given indications of his impending departure two days prior. When asked by other ascetics if he remembered the Siddha Parmeshthi (liberated souls), he responded with an affirmative "Hmm," indicating his conscious awareness. This state of conscious departure is considered a mark of highly virtuous beings.
Final Moments: He had consumed water about two and a half hours before his passing.

Reminiscences:

Grief and Resolve: The narrator recounts an instance in Baraut where, upon hearing of Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj's Mahasamadhi, Acharya Namisagar wept, feeling like an "unworthy disciple." The narrator encouraged him, urging him to strive for a similar Mahasamadhi at Sammed Shikharji and to seek the company of Varni-ji there. Inspired, Acharya Namisagar resolved to travel to Sammed Shikharji immediately after his Chaturmas.
Determination: This resolve was evident when the narrator met him in Khurja, noting the blisters on his feet from the journey. Despite the narrator's plea to travel shorter distances in the winter, Acharya Namisagar insisted on reaching Shikharji before the 'Ashtahnika' festival in Phalgun, demonstrating his unwavering commitment.
Problem-Solving Ability: La. Parsadilal Patni praised Acharya Namisagar's determination, recalling how he successfully resolved the "Harijan Mandir Pravesh" (entry of Harijans into temples) issue in Delhi within six months, a feat that others had failed to achieve. The text emphasizes that he tackled many such complex problems with skill and wisdom but always remained detached from credit.
Power of Speech: He possessed the power of true speech; whatever he said turned out to be true.
Final Prophecy: A month before his passing, he told the narrator, "Panditji, you must come at the time of my Mahasamadhi." The narrator, initially shocked and urging him to come to Delhi after the Chaturmas, later understood the profound significance of his words as a premonition. He fulfilled this by arranging for a physician to attend to Acharya Namisagar.

In essence, the document portrays Acharya Namisagar as a beacon of spiritual discipline, characterized by his unwavering devotion, profound austerities, deep meditation, compassionate nature, and a life dedicated to the welfare of others, culminating in a peaceful and conscious departure at a highly sacred site.