Hamare Jyotirdhar Acharya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the lives and contributions of the featured Acharyas:

The book "Hamare Jyotirdhar Acharya" (Our Guiding Acharyas) by Devendramuni Shastri, published as part of the Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf, is a collection of biographical sketches of prominent Jain Acharyas who illuminated the path of spirituality and contributed significantly to the Jain tradition. The text emphasizes that a life dedicated to self-improvement and the welfare of the world is a meaningful life, much like the selfless nature of sandalwood, incense sticks, and candles that benefit others by sacrificing themselves. Saints, it is said, live not just for themselves but for the entire world.

Key Acharyas Featured:

1. Acharya Shri Tulsidasji Maharaj:

Life and Philosophy: Acharya Tulsidasji Maharaj is described as a saintly figure whose life was dedicated to spiritual pursuits. Born in Junia village, Mewar, he possessed a sharp intellect and a detachment from worldly pleasures from a young age. Despite his parents attempting to engage him in worldly life through marriage at fifteen, his inclination towards renunciation remained strong.
Spiritual Journey: He was deeply influenced by the discourses of Acharya Amarsinghji Maharaj. At the age of twenty, in Vikram Samvat 1763, he embraced a life of austerity and renunciation, unmoved by the pleas of his family.
Contributions: Under Acharya Amarsinghji Maharaj's guidance, he diligently studied Jain scriptures and philosophy. He was eventually appointed as his successor. Acharya Tulsidasji Maharaj extensively traveled across Rajasthan, spreading the teachings of the Sthanakvasi tradition, guiding countless individuals away from spiritual darkness and towards right faith. He initiated many into the lay and monastic orders.
Demise: He attained Nirvana in Jodhpur, Vikram Samvat 1830, after observing a fast for forty-five days. He is remembered as an influential and radiant Acharya, whose life continues to inspire.

2. Acharya Shri Sujanmalji Maharaj:

Life and Philosophy: Inspired by the metaphor of a burning ember radiating light, the text highlights that true radiance comes from intense spiritual practice and tapasya (austerity). Acharya Sujanmalji Maharaj embodied this principle. He was a disciple of Acharya Tulsidasji Maharaj and the third successor in the lineage of Acharya Amarsinghji Maharaj.
Spiritual Journey: Born in Sarwad village, Rajasthan, his parents were virtuous and deeply devoted to dharma, instilling similar values in him. He received initiation in Vikram Samvat 1818, along with his mother and sister, after being profoundly moved by Acharya Tulsidasji Maharaj's discourses on renunciation.
Contributions: He possessed captivating oratory skills and traveled extensively through Mewar, Marwar, and Madhya Pradesh, enlightening thousands. He was appointed as Acharya by Acharya Tulsidasji Maharaj and successfully spread the light of dharma, attracting many disciples.
Demise: He passed away in Vikram Samvat 1849 after falling ill. Despite the community's grief, his legacy continues.

3. Acharya Shri Jeetmalji Maharaj (Personality and Contributions):

Life and Philosophy: Acharya Jeetmalji Maharaj is presented as a wise and resilient saint who significantly impacted Jain literature and art. Born in Rampura, Hadoti state, his parents were virtuous and devoted. He exhibited a deep detachment from worldly matters from a young age, inspired by the teachings of Acharya Sujanmalji Maharaj.
Spiritual Journey: At the age of nine, after convincing his mother and receiving his father's permission following a year-long test of his resolve, he was initiated along with his mother in Vikram Samvat 1834. He was given the name Jeet Muni.
Contributions:
- Intellectual Prowess: He was a prolific scholar, proficient in Sanskrit, Urdu, and Persian. He deeply studied scriptures, philosophy, logic, grammar, astrology, mantras, and Ayurveda.
- Literary Work: He was known for his beautiful handwriting and his ability to write with both hands and feet simultaneously. He meticulously copied numerous Jain texts, including the thirty-two Agamas thirty-two times. His writings are preserved in Jain libraries. He also authored works in Urdu and Persian, showcasing his profound knowledge.
- Poetry: He was a gifted poet, composing works like "Chandrakalaras," " Shankhanrip ki Chaupai," and "Kounik Sangram Prabandh." Due to a tradition of avoiding poetry to prevent potential flaws in the vow of truthfulness, he often did not sign his name.
- Artistic Talent: He was a skilled artist and painter, creating approximately two thousand paintings on various religious and mythological themes. His artwork, such as the "Suryapalli," impressed dignitaries like India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. His intricate cuttings, made with the tip of a needle, and his unique ability to write two separate verses on a single page, one on each side, were considered marvels.
- Philosophical Debates: The text recounts an instance where King Mansingh of Jodhpur questioned the Jain belief in the presence of countless souls in a single drop of water. Acharya Jeetmalji Maharaj, through a meticulously drawn miniature painting of 108 elephants and the use of a special glass, effectively demonstrated the principle of microscopic vision and the limitations of ordinary perception, thereby impressing the king and reaffirming the validity of Jain scriptures.
- Scholarly Authority: He countered the notion that Jainism is a religion solely for merchants, highlighting its Kshatriya roots and the intellectual caliber of its scholars and followers. He emphasized that Jain scriptures analyze every subject with meticulous detail.
- Dissemination of Knowledge: He illustrated the "Prajnapan Sutra's" section on botany, depicting various plants, their medicinal properties, and their synergistic effects. He also wrote extensively on palmistry, auspicious and inauspicious bodily signs, Yantras (mystical diagrams), and Mantra and Tantra literature.
Demise: He lived a disciplined life for seventy-eight years and attained Nirvana in Jodhpur in Vikram Samvat 1913, observing the practice of santhara (ritual fasting unto death). Before his demise, he destroyed his detailed illustrations of the "Prajnapan Sutra" fearing their misuse, having summarized their essence in a more accessible format.

The book also briefly mentions the lineage of Acharya Jeetmalji Maharaj's disciples, including Kishanlalji Maharaj, Hukumchandji Maharaj, Ramkisanji Maharaj, and Narayanachandji Maharaj, highlighting their contributions and the continuation of the Jain tradition.

Overall, "Hamare Jyotirdhar Acharya" celebrates the lives of these remarkable Jain Acharyas, portraying them as beacons of spiritual wisdom, intellectual prowess, artistic talent, and unwavering devotion, who guided their followers and enriched Jain philosophy and practice for generations to come.