Bhadrankarvijayjigani

This document is a tribute to Pujya Panyas Shri Bhadraṅkarvijayji Ganivar, a highly respected and influential figure in the Jain community, often affectionately known as "Panyasji Maharaj." The text highlights his unique personality, profound spiritual contributions, and exemplary life.

Here's a comprehensive summary:

Overall Impression: Pujya Bhadraṅkarvijayji Ganivar is portrayed as an extraordinary individual who left an indelible mark on the Jain world. He is described as being unique, unparalleled, and exceptional in his nature, influence, and actions. He lived for 77 years (1959-2036 of the Jain calendar) and is considered a creator of significant history within the Jain sect over the past five to six centuries.

Key Contributions and Characteristics:

• Revival and Popularization of the Namokar Mahamantra: While the Namokar Mahamantra was known, its true glory and widespread application were not fully appreciated. Pujya Bhadraṅkarvijayji's life and work were dedicated to contemplating and promoting its significance, thereby amplifying its grandeur and making it resonate deeply within households and on people's tongues.
• Promotion of Friendship and Amity: He consistently strived to foster an atmosphere of friendship and harmonious relationships.
• "Ajatshatru" (Unconquered/Without Enemies) Status: His peaceful demeanor and nature earned him the reputation of being an "Ajatshatru." Despite this, he was also receptive to constructive debate and discussion when necessary.
• Serene and Calming Presence: His very presence brought a sense of peace and tranquility. Even those with strong emotions or anger would feel a sense of cooling calmness just by looking at his serene face. His calm speech and demeanor added to this peaceful aura, often bringing happiness to those he interacted with.
• Detachment from Worldly Accolades: He consistently remained distant from clamor, stages of prestige, and the race for fame.
• Life Mantra: His guiding principle was "He who remembers the Namokar, who is there in this world to challenge him?" (Jammē navkār, sansārō tasak kuṇu jī).
• Emphasis on Humility and Devotion: His core principles were "I endure" (Khamvuṁ chuṁ) and "I bow" (Namūṁ chuṁ). He believed and taught that endurance symbolized humility, and bowing represented devotion to the Divine.

Biographical Details:

• Birth: He was born in Patan on the third day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha in the year 1959 of the Jain calendar. His birth name was Bhagwandas, which was seen as prescient of his future greatness.
• Upbringing and Education: Most of his upbringing was in Mumbai, as his father, Halabhai, lived and worked there. He completed his matriculation at sixteen and pursued religious studies.
• Vairagya (Renunciation): Even before his formal renunciation, a sense of detachment began to bloom in him. Despite being married unwillingly, his spiritual inclination grew.
• Initiation: In 1985 of the Jain calendar, he was initiated as Muni Shri Bhadraṅkarvijayji under the guidance of the highly accomplished Acharya Shrimad Vijaydhanasurishwarji Maharaj, and specifically influenced by the powerful oratory of Muni Shri Ramvijayji Maharaj.
• Asceticism and Penance: Even as a householder, he had a deep love for the Ayambil tap (a specific type of fast). After his initiation, his dedication to penance intensified due to his delicate health. He completed fifty-two stages of the Vardhaman tap.
• Panyas Appointment: In the year 2007 of the Jain calendar, he was honored with the title of Panyas (a senior monastic rank) in Palitana.
• Refusal of Acharya Position: Despite his immense influence, merit, and purity, he humbly refused the position of Acharya, earning him the title "Panyas Shri Satya vijayji" of the current era. This refusal further enhanced his reputation, commanding respect even from Acharyas.
• Promotion of Jain Practices: He championed the principles of Ayambil tap, chanting of the Mahamantra, and celibacy (Brahmavrat). His influence led to a significant increase in the observance of Navpad and Vardhaman tap, and the Siddha Chakra Mahapujan gained rapid popularity throughout the Jain community.
• Demise: His life of renunciation, which began in 1987 of the Jain calendar, concluded successfully with a peaceful death (Samadhi Mrityu) on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Vaishakh in the year 2036 of the Jain calendar.
• Final Years and Death: In his later years, he was based in Patan due to ill health, having previously traveled extensively in Marwar-Golwad. He maintained remarkable equanimity even in his final moments, astonishing doctors. He peacefully departed this world in Patan, the land of his birth.

Qualities Summarized: The text concludes by summarizing his numerous virtues: lack of pride, detachment, love for people, benevolence, a consistently serene countenance, profound contemplative ability, devotion to the Namokar mantra, and divine devotion. His mind was imbued with friendship and the Mahamantra. His intellect was sharpened by his conduct. His body possessed the freshness of penance. His face bore a beautiful smile of sweetness. His speech was incisive. He was a personification of compassion. He possessed the power to transform darkness into light, vice into virtue, and irreligion into the radiant light of meritorious religion. Through his great propagation of Jainism, he made his life of renunciation truly meaningful.

The compilation of this tribute is attributed to Pujya Acharya Shri Vijaypurnachandrasuriji Maharaj.