Great Poet Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Great Poet Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj:

Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj: A Great Poet, Reformist, and Spiritual Leader

Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj was a revered Jain saint and poet from Western India, celebrated for his profound spiritual teachings, artistic talents, and dedication to social upliftment. Born Nagarbhai in 1877 in Sayla, Saurashtra, his early life was marked by tragedy, losing both parents at a young age. Raised by his sister-in-law, Monghibai, he experienced further personal hardship that led him to detachment from worldly affairs.

Spiritual Journey and Reforms:

Nagarbhai's spiritual inclinations led him to seek guidance from Shri Devchandraji Maharaj. In 1901, he adopted monastic life in Anjar and was renamed Muni Nanchandra. He became known as a "revolutionary Jain mendicant" for his progressive stance that Jain ascetics could openly sing devotional songs and nationalistic hymns. This reformist approach gained him popularity and respect.

Dedication to His Guru and Scholarly Pursuits:

Muni Nanchandra demonstrated immense devotion to his ailing guru, Shri Devchandraji Maharaj. He stayed with him for nine years (1912-1920) in Limbdi, diligently studying scriptures in Sanskrit and Prakrit, as well as poetry, through his own intuition. He also dedicated his time to literature creation and social service during this period.

Influence and Outreach:

Muni Nanchandra's captivating personality, poetic eloquence, broad outlook, and melodious yet powerful voice attracted many. He was frequently invited by the Jain community in Mumbai, spending the monsoon of 1926 there, where he addressed the All India Sthanakvasi Jain Conference and participated in the foundation stone laying for a Sthanakvasi Upashraya (place of worship). He continued his spiritual work across various locations, including Limbdi, Vankaner, Agra, and Borivli, focusing on religious awareness, social progress, and aiding common people. His work in Borivli was particularly impactful among the devoted but humble Jain community, fostering religious awareness, youth engagement, and women's empowerment.

Later Years and Passing:

In his later years, Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj experienced deteriorating health, including colds and gout. He spent his last four monsoons in his native village, Sayla. His 87th birthday was celebrated with great fervor. He peacefully passed away in 1965 at the age of 88, after completing his daily prayers and rites. His demise was mourned by thousands who gathered for his final rites.

Legacy and Teachings:

Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj lived a life of restraint and dedicated himself to expanding religious values and promoting good conduct, non-attachment, humanity, truth, and compassion. He initiated many significant institutions, including a boarding house for students (Sthanakvasi Jain Vidyarthi Bhavan, Limbdi), a public library (Shri Devchandraji Sarvajanik Pustakalaya, Limbdi), a women's development organization (Shri Nanchandraji Sarvajanik Mahila Mandal, Limbdi), and various educational and social service centers in Borivli and other places.

He was a prolific poet, composing around 400 devotional and prayerful songs, published in works like "Prarthana Mandir" and "Subodh Sangit Mala." He also compiled "Sanskrit Kavyanand" and "Manavatanu Mithu Jagat."

His core teachings emphasized:

• Prioritizing life over wealth: Money is a tool for life, not the other way around.
• Recognizing the illusion of worldly beauty: Material possessions and physical adornments hold no true lasting value.
• The folly of excessive pursuit of wealth: Chasing wealth at the expense of one's soul is considered madness.
• Cultivating humanity and divine remembrance: Maintaining love for humanity and constant remembrance of God is crucial.
• The importance of introspection: Regularly questioning the purpose of life, one's origin, and destination.
• Seeking spiritual guidance: Associating with saints and teachers and engaging with good books are paths to eternal bliss.
• Embracing virtues and acknowledging flaws: Accepting and appreciating virtues while recognizing that everyone has defects.
• Unwavering devotion to God: Remembering, thinking about, reading about, seeing, and hearing praises of God.
• Controlling attachments and serving others: Reducing worldly attachments, being helpful, and controlling speech and thoughts.
• Cultivating positive qualities: Being gracious, kind, helpful, loving all beings, and engaging in daily prayers.
• Striving for self-development: Believing that good thinking and learning lead to progress.
• Responsible use of abilities: Not misusing understanding, talent, power, means, or money.
• The eternal nature of the soul: Understanding the soul's true essence and guiding it towards salvation.
• Vigilance against vices: Remaining watchful against wrongdoing and engaging in prayers, meditation, good deeds, and righteous thinking.
• The power of sincere prayer and repetition: Faith and sincerity are key to the efficacy of repeating divine names and religious phrases.
• Honest and selfless behavior: Maintaining open, clean, and unpretentious conduct aimed at the well-being of all.
• Learning from experiences and maintaining cheerfulness: Utilizing experiences, remaining optimistic, and keeping the mind cheerful.
• Self-discovery and overcoming pride: The need for introspection to gain self-knowledge and to shed pride in wealth, learning, or status, as these lead to downfall.

Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj's two prominent disciples, Muni Shri Chunilalji and Muni Shri Santbalji, continued to propagate his teachings through their lives and activities, ensuring his legacy endured. He is remembered as a saint, a gifted singer, and a spiritual poet whose life was dedicated to the welfare of society.