Brief Life Sketch Of Atmaramji Maharaj

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A Renaissance Figure in Jainism: A Brief Life Sketch of Shri Atmaramji Maharaj

This biography chronicles the life of Shri Atmaramji Maharaj, a pivotal figure in the socio-religious reform of Jainism during the 19th century. The text frames his emergence within the broader context of India's awakening, paralleling his work for Jainism with that of prominent reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati for Hinduism.

The Need for Reform: Atmaramji Maharaj appeared on the scene when Jainism was perceived to be in a state of decline. Jains were often looked down upon, their ancient shrines were neglected, and their spiritual leaders, the "Yatis" and "Poojs," had reportedly become engrossed in worldly pleasures, losing their spiritual authority and adherence to the authoritative Jain scriptures (Aagams). Atmaramji Maharaj, a worshipper of truth, could not accept this degeneration and launched a movement for revival, facing significant opposition from conservatives. Though his life was cut short before fully realizing his mission, his passing centenary in 1996 serves as an inspiration to continue his work.

Early Life and Influences: Born in a small village in Punjab in Vikram Samvat 1894 (1837 AD), Atmaramji's father, Ganesh Chand, was from a Khatri clan. His father, a respected military man under Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, fell on hard times due to an enmity with Shri Attar Singh Sodhi. Due to these circumstances, the young Atmaramji, even as a child, was entrusted to the care of Shri Jodhamal, a Jain layman in Zira. This upbringing within a Jain household significantly influenced him, leading him to embrace Jainism and eventually renounce the world at the young age of sixteen.

The Life of a Jain Monk and the Pursuit of Knowledge: The text details the rigorous and disciplined life of a Jain monk, emphasizing renunciation, non-possession, alms-gathering (Gochri), and strict adherence to religious observances. Atmaramji Maharaj embraced this life willingly. His intellectual prowess was evident from his youth, as he possessed a sharp intellect and a remarkable memory. He was particularly driven by a "thirst for knowledge," spending the first ten years of his monastic life (Vikram Samvat 1910-1920) immersed in studying Jain scriptures and learning from various scholars, both monks and laymen. This period of intense study is presented as a stark contrast to those monks who ceased their learning after a superficial understanding of a few texts. The text highlights that Jain philosophy places immense value on knowledge, seeing it as the path to emancipation.

The Turning Point and Embracing True Jainism: A significant turning point in Atmaramji's life was his meeting with Shri Ratan Chandji in Agra during Vikram Samvat 1920. This interaction clarified his doubts about the prevalent "Dhundia" sect (now known as Sthanakvasi), which rejected idol worship. Through discussions with Shri Ratan Chandji, who also harbored liberal views, Atmaramji realized that the "Dhundia" sect had deviated from the ancient Jain tradition that embraced idol worship and magnificent temples. He learned that the sect's founder, Lonkaji, had introduced controversial interpretations to discredit texts mentioning idol worship and had discouraged the study of grammar, fearing it would lead to questioning. After this realization and a confession from Shri Ratan Chandji that he was too old to preach the true gospel, Atmaramji vowed to dedicate himself to spreading the truth.

The Struggle and Open Conflict: At 26, Atmaramji began his mission to preach the true tenets of Jainism. He gained followers like Bishan Chand and Champa Lal, emphasizing critical evaluation of his teachings. His efforts were met with strong opposition from established religious authorities, including an order from Pooj Shri Amar Singhji to ostracize Atmaramji and his followers. In Vikram Samvat 1932, Atmaramji and his 20 fellow monks formally broke from the "Dhundia" sect by removing the "Mukh-patti" (a piece of cloth tied over the mouth, a distinctive mark of the Dhundia monks). This marked a significant step in establishing the "true ancient Jain religion" in Punjab.

Travels and Formal Recognition: His movement gained momentum, spreading his fame across India. He then traveled to Gujarat, a significant center of Jainism, and formally joined the ancient Jain religion by becoming a disciple of Shri Buddhi Vijayji, along with 15 followers, in Vikram Samvat 1932. He adopted a yellow mantle as a distinguishing mark. He held Chaturmas (four-month rainy season retreats) in Bhavnagar and Jodhpur, later returning to Punjab to nurture the movement he had started. He was given the name Shri Anand Vijayji, and later, upon being conferred the title of Acharya, he became known as Vijayanand.

Interactions with Royalty and Scholarly Discourse: As a recognized spokesperson for Jainism, Atmaramji engaged in discussions with kings and prominent figures of his time, clarifying misconceptions about Jain philosophy. He explained the principles of Syadvad and Anekantvad (multi-faceted reality) to the King of Bhavnagar, highlighting Jainism's non-absolute approach to truth. He addressed the common misconception that Jainism is atheistic or anti-Vedic, explaining its beliefs about the soul, karma, liberation (moksha), and its divergence from Vedic acceptance of Vedas as ultimate authority, particularly concerning animal sacrifice. He eloquently defended Jainism's stance against a creator God, explaining that creation is eternal and without a beginning or end, a position that avoids logical contradictions. His scholarship extended to other religions, demonstrating his ability to conduct comparative studies. His intellectual prowess was recognized by Western scholars like A.F. Rudolf Hoernle, who dedicated an edition of a Jain Agam to him.

A Multi-Colored Personality: Shri Atmaramji Maharaj was a multifaceted personality: a persuasive speaker, a skilled debater, a prolific author, a devotional poet, an inspiration for temple construction, a patron of ancient libraries, an educationist, a reformer, and a revolutionary. He authored several significant works in Hindi, including "Jain Tattvadarsh" and "Agnan Timir Bhaskar," making Jain philosophy accessible to the common man. His devotional songs, such as "Atam Bavni," are still sung today, conveying deep spiritual yearning and surrender. He also inspired the proper maintenance of Jain libraries ("Gnan Bhandars") and championed the construction of new temples in Punjab, which had been largely dominated by the "Dhundia" sect.

Unfulfilled Dream and Legacy: Atmaramji Maharaj's ultimate vision was to establish "Saraswati Mandirs" (temples of learning) to uplift the Jain community educationally. Tragically, he passed away in Vikram Samvat 1953 (1896 AD) at the age of 59, before he could fully realize this dream. His life is an epitome of courage, intellectual pursuit, and dedication to truth, leaving an enduring legacy for his followers to carry forward his mission.