Anand Rishijee A Redeemer Of The Modern Wasteland

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Achārya Anand Rishijee-'A Redeemer of The Modern Wasteland'" by Satish Kumar Jain:

The article posits that contemporary society, much like T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland," is characterized by a spiritual and moral void. This "wasteland" is depicted as a chaotic and dismal place where individuals are consumed by lust, abhorrence, and other negative passions. Modern society is portrayed as godless, with ethical principles reduced to "a heap of broken images." Life is spiritually impoverished, intellectually degenerated, emotionally barren, and mentally stunted. The text criticizes the worship of Mammon and Secularism, and condemns the perversion and commercialization of sex, which leaves people feeling like "hollowmen" despairing of spiritual salvation.

The author draws a parallel to an ancient Indian legend from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, where the word "DA" spoken by Prajapati during a drought offers a solution to spiritual aridity. "DA" is interpreted as "Datta" (to give), "Dayadhvam" (to sympathize), and "Damyata" (to control). The article suggests that adhering to these three injunctions can help individuals restore order to their lives and achieve liberation from a "living death." In this context, the text identifies Acharya Anand Rishi as a "redeemer" needed to "sprinkle chilly cold waters of his holy deliverances of true faith and true knowledge" onto the burning modern wasteland.

Acharya Anand Rishi is presented as a significant spiritual leader and the successor to Acharya Sh. Atama Ram Ji Maharaj. He is described as a 75-year-old spiritual giant who has provided dynamic leadership to the All India Sthanakvasi Jain Shraman Sangha. He is lauded as an "uncrowned king of the vast realms of the Spirit," a source of wisdom and knowledge, the embodiment of truth and divinity, and a model of perfection, effulgence, independence, fearlessness, immutability, and purity. His towering personality is further emphasized by his physical stature.

The article highlights Acharya Anand Rishi's early signs of spiritual inclination. From a young age, he was a meticulous observer of "Jin Vani" (the Divine Voice), exhibiting sobriety and stoicism. His deep devotion and ability to remain in transcendental meditation during preaching sessions led organizers to predict an extraordinary future for him. He is compared to revered figures like Prince Ayvanta Kumar and Dhruva, and his Acharyaship is attributed to his pious personality, scholarly depth, unwavering dedication, and remarkable talent. He is seen as representing the soul of India's yearning for peace and harmony, continuing the tradition of Jain seers who have guided humanity. His teachings aim to reinforce the intrinsic values of Lord Mahavir, offering a new approach to combat societal disintegration and decadence.

Acharya Anand Rishi is characterized as an active "Karma Yogi" who has traveled extensively across India, propagating the commandments of Lord Mahavir. His presence draws large crowds, and he is received with great reverence and devotion. His public addresses are described as captivating, with a mellifluous voice, dignified calmness, and liberal vision, creating a hypnotic effect on his audiences. His discourses are filled with sagacious wisdom, perspicuous thoughts, and aphoristic terseness, avoiding verbosity and dogmatic rituals. He communicates in simple, understandable language, making his sermons accessible to all.

The text also acknowledges his significant literary contributions, particularly in the Prakrit language, which he has enriched and rejuvenated. His literary works are considered comparable to those of ancient Jain Acharyas. He is a prolific writer and a singer of universalism, possessing command over several languages and having authored or adapted around fifteen books. He has also established numerous "Vidya Mandirs" (temples of spiritual learning) across India to impart spiritual knowledge.

Acharya Anand Rishi is described as embodying deep consistency and humility, devoid of pretension. He is not only a prominent figure in Jainism but also a promoter of universal love and world peace, a votary of humanistic and ethical values. His physical appearance is likened to a celestial being, with a radiant countenance and eyes like "a flame of fire." He is a perfect embodiment of mercy, piety, suavity, humility, magnanimity, and simplicity. Through penance, he has attained inexhaustible joy and is an apostle of Ahimsa and Peace. His core teachings revolve around right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, reflecting the quaternary of infinite knowledge, conation, power, and bliss. He generously distributes knowledge, offering his teachings as guiding stars in the darkness of worldly existence.

The article asserts that Acharya Anand Rishi's presence dispels negativity such as venom, anger, violence, and passions, promoting forgiveness, non-violence, and self-control. He fosters harmony between life and light, wisdom and work, devotion and deed, and idealism and activity. Free from pride, deceit, and infatuation, his knowledge is considered nectar for spiritual well-being. He is a benefactor of the universe who has made the best use of his human birth, embodying equanimity and victory over self and vice.

His indomitable spirit, might, and omniscient perfection are highlighted, along with his extensive travels on foot as a testament to his active advocacy of Ahimsa and Peace and his effort to eradicate superstition. His rigorous penance, unwavering faith in moral and ethical values, and profound knowledge of Jain scriptures are unparalleled. His inner divine being is characterized by qualities such as mercy, coolness, serenity, perseverance, firmness, rigidity, and suppleness. His noble heart is a source of unbounded righteousness, modesty, and amiability. He possesses a phlegmatic nature, is humble in interactions, and has a sanguine and sane mind with a broad vision. His altruistic outlook makes him a source of goodness for all who seek his help.

A true Jainistic spirit pervades his being, with love, kindness, friendliness, delight, sympathy, self-endurance, compassion, toleration, and indifference as his cardinal tenets. He is dedicated to social welfare, the unity of the Sangha, the upliftment of the masses, and the unhampering growth of the community. Acharya Anand Rishi is hailed as a reformer saint and an emancipator of troubled humanity, whose teachings are the panacea for modern societal ills. He is seen as the world's redeemer and an anchor in life's tumultuous journey. The article concludes with prayers for his continued guidance and for the prosperity, unity, purity, and peace of the Sthanakvasi Jain Shraman Sangha under his leadership. The author expresses hope that a commemoration volume in his honor will encourage such spiritual luminaries to re-establish fundamental values like Truth, Peace, and Non-Violence. The article celebrates his 75th birthday and anticipates further laurels for his meritorious services, praying for his long life to guide seekers of truth and non-violence. It is believed that his message will resonate for centuries, and the author ardently prays for his glorious message of truth, non-violence, peace, good-will, and fraternity to take firm root and reign over human hearts globally.