Heervijaysurinu Jivan Vruttant

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Heervijaysurinu Jivan Vruttant: A Life of Spiritual Heroism

This Jain text, "Heervijaysurinu Jivan Vruttant," chronicles the life and teachings of the revered Jain monk, Shri Hirvijay Suri. The book, authored by Pandit Udaychand L. Zaveriwada, presents a narrative that emphasizes the heroic and virtuous nature of a spiritual leader.

Early Life and Birth:

The narrative begins by establishing the universal and timeless admiration for heroes, particularly those of spiritual caliber. It then details the birth of Hirji, the future Shri Hirvijay Suri. He was born in Palanpur, a town in Gujarat known for its grand Parsvanath temple. His parents, Kunvarji Seth and Nathibai, were devout Jains. Nathibai experienced a significant dream of a majestic white elephant entering her womb, which was interpreted as the birth of a son who would gain renown throughout India. During her pregnancy, Nathibai felt strong desires to engage in virtuous deeds such as distributing alms, worshipping Jain deities, and venerating the first Tirthankar, Adinath, on the sacred Shatrunjay mountain. Hirji was born on the ninth day of the bright half of the Margashirsha month in the year 1583 (Vikram Samvat).

Spiritual Inclination and Renunciation:

Hirji displayed exceptional intellect and mastery of scriptures at a young age. After his parents' passing, he moved to Patan. There, he heard the discourse of Shri Vijaydan Suri Maharaj about the sufferings of the cycle of birth and death. This deeply impacted him, filling his heart with detachment from worldly pleasures and leading him to embrace a life of renunciation. Despite his sister's pleas and her explanations of the challenges and trials faced by ascetics, Hirji's resolve remained unshaken, comparing his steadfastness to that of a great bird unaffected by the stormy seas.

Initiation and Rise to Prominence:

In the year 1596 (Vikram Samvat), on the second day of the dark half of Kartik, under the Mrig nakshatra, Hirji, along with nine other individuals, received initiation from Shri Vijaydan Suri Maharaj. He was given the monastic name Muni Hirharsh. He engaged in vows and pilgrimages throughout the land. The text mentions his attainment of the title of "Pandit" in 1607 (Vikram Samvat) at a Shri Neminath temple in Nadulai and the title of "Vachak" in 1608 (Vikram Samvat) in Naradpur. Later, in 1610 (Vikram Samvat), with the permission of the ruling Goddess, Shri Vijaydan Suri Maharaj bestowed upon Muni Hirharsh the title of "Mansuri" in Sirohi, a town in Marwar. From then on, he became known as Shri Hirvijay Suri.

Encounter with Emperor Akbar:

The narrative then shifts to a pivotal moment in Shri Hirvijay Suri's life: his encounter with the Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Akbar. Emperor Akbar, known for his intellectual curiosity and interest in diverse religions, heard of Shri Hirvijay Suri's virtues and invited him to his court in Delhi. Their first meeting took place in Agra, where the Emperor was greatly impressed by Shri Hirvijay Suri's compassionate teachings. As a result of these teachings, Akbar resolved to abstain from meat for certain days of the year and significantly reduced the unnecessary harm to animals and birds. The text suggests further details on this topic can be found in other works like "Saubhagya and Bajil Rajya," which elaborate on how he earned the title of "Jagadguru."

Mortal Conclusion and Legacy:

The text then reflects on the universal law of impermanence, acknowledging that even great kings and celestial beings eventually pass away. Shri Hirvijay Suri, while on his travels, arrived in Una, a village in Kathiawar. Realizing his end was near, he appointed Vijayasen Acharya as his successor. Immersed in deep spiritual contemplation, Shri Hirvijay Suri achieved his final departure from the mortal world on the fifteenth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada in the year 1652 (Vikram Samvat). He is noted as being the 58th spiritual successor of Lord Mahavir Swami. His passing was deeply mourned by the Jain community, who felt a profound sense of loss, akin to losing a precious diamond. The text concludes with verses reflecting on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of life, expressing a wish for the emergence of similar great souls to spread the victory flag of Jainism across India.

"Heervijaysurinu Jivan Vruttant" therefore serves as an inspiring account of a significant Jain spiritual leader, highlighting his birth, renunciation, scholarly achievements, influential interactions with secular rulers, and his ultimate spiritual transcendence. It emphasizes the virtues of detachment, compassion, and unwavering devotion to spiritual principles.