Jain Dharm Na Mobile Encylopedia Muni Deepratnasagar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Muni Deepratnasagarji, as presented in the Chitralekha magazine article:

The article, titled "Our Present Day" by Parthiv Vora, highlights Muni Deepratnasagarji as a "Mobile Encyclopedia of Jainism." It begins by recounting his significant decision at the age of 28 to leave his well-paying teaching job and pursue the path of renunciation (diksha) instead of getting married, a decision that deeply saddened his mother. However, his father, Kantibhai, supported his decision, having already witnessed his elder son take diksha, and recognizing that his son's commitment was unshakeable.

The article emphasizes that Muni Deepratnasagarji has undertaken the challenging task of making Jain scriptures accessible to the masses, having written over 300 books on Jainism. This prolific output is described as an "amazing event," making him a readily available reference for Jain monks, nuns, researchers, and followers.

His Journey to Renunciation: Muni Deepratnasagarji, formerly known as Deepak, explained that after completing his M.Com. and M.Ed., he worked as a teacher for four years and was pursuing a Ph.D. in the "Educational Philosophy of Jainism." His academic pursuit, while initially guided by his professor, ultimately led him to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jain philosophy. He found the worldly life to be like a "kaajal kotdi" (a place stained with kohl, symbolizing defilement) and was drawn to the path of renunciation. He met his guru, Maharaj Sudharmasagarji, who supported his decision, and he took diksha in 1981 at Palitana at the age of 26. While his family had a tradition of taking diksha (grandmother, aunts, and elder brother), his Ph.D. work solidified his resolve.

His Literary Contributions: The article details the vast scope of his literary work, focusing on several key areas:

• Making Scriptures Accessible: He recognized that many Jain monks, even those with limited education, could easily deliver discourses if the scriptures were presented in a simple, narrative format with stories and examples. He pioneered this approach to make Jainism understandable to both Jains and non-Jains. His books are used by monks and scholars for direct and indirect reference.

• Grammar and Language: A significant part of his work involves bringing the complex grammar of Jainism, originally in Prakrit and Sanskrit, into Gujarati. He has produced four grammar-related books totaling 1000 pages, including "Abhinav Hem" and "Laghu Prakriya," which are considered unprecedented in Gujarati.

• Panchang (Almanac): He has created a unique and user-friendly Jain Panchang, which includes daily rituals, timings for observing vows (pachkhan), and planetary positions. This Panchang is widely used and even published by Jain organizations. It has helped many lay followers to more easily observe their vows.

• Tattvartha Sutra (Abhinav Teeka): He has written an extensive commentary on the Tattvartha Sutra, a foundational Jain text, in 342 pages. This work is highly regarded and was recognized as the best book by the Jaipur Sanskrit Academy, though Muni Deepratnasagarji declined the award, believing his work was a spiritual service rather than a pursuit of accolades.

• Twelve Vows Booklet (Bar Vrat Pustika): This booklet explains the twelve vows of Jainism with sub-rules and includes practice tests. It has been so effective that nine out of twelve vows have been taken by individuals due to this book.

• Agam Sutra Series: His most extensive work is the series of 250 books on Jain Agamas (scriptures). This includes 48 books in Ardhamagadhi (the original language of many Agamas), 46 in Hindi, and 47 in a "Patika" format. He has also compiled a comprehensive lexicon of 47,000 words from the Agamas in Sanskrit-Gujarati. His work on making the Agamas accessible in Gujarati is a monumental achievement, as it was previously unavailable.

• Other Notable Works: The article also mentions his books on "Abhinav Updesh Prasad" (three volumes), "Samadhi Maran" (useful for both Jains and non-Jains), "Abhinav Pratikraman Teeka," "Navpad Shripal," and "Siddhachal no Saathi." He has also written a book on the rituals of administering diksha.

His Dedication and Philosophy: Muni Deepratnasagarji emphasizes that his work is driven by a desire to share the teachings of Mahavir and guide monks, nuns, and lay followers. He believes that many in the monastic community are not adept at propagation and that such books need to be widely read and distributed. His motivation stems from a deep commitment to spiritual study and a desire to overcome the lack of understanding of Prakrit and Sanskrit languages among many. He views himself as a medium through which this knowledge is disseminated, finding immense satisfaction in this spiritual service.

He describes his intense dedication, working 12-14 hours daily with divine inspiration, even when physically exhausted. He recounts instances of miraculous experiences, such as completing the translation of 103 verses in eight hours after intense prayer. His work is so comprehensive that he is considered a "walking encyclopedia" of Jainism.

Future Plans: Muni Deepratnasagarji has a clear plan for future projects, including compiling a Jain terminology glossary similar to Webster's Dictionary and continuing his work on an encyclopedia of Jain Agamas. He sees his ultimate goal as achieving Moksha (liberation). His dedication and prolific output have earned him immense respect and gratitude within the Jain community, with his books serving as a vital resource for understanding and practicing Jainism.