Kaviratna Nanchandraji Maharaj - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Kaviratna Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj:

This text is a biography of Kaviratna Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj, a prominent Jain saint and poet of the current century, who spread the message of religious awareness in Western India for over five decades. He was known for his universal love for all beings, innate poetic talent, devotional singing in melodious tunes, inherent philanthropic nature, and respect for all religions.

Early Life and Renunciation:

Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj was born as Nagarbhai in Sayla, Saurashtra, a region renowned for saints, heroes, and philanthropists.
Born on a Thursday in Margashirsha, Shukla Paksha, Ekam of Vikram Samvat 1933, his parents were Raliyatbai and Panachandbhai, a devout family of the Dashashrimāli Vāṇik community with Sthānakavāsī Jain traditions.
Tragically, he lost his mother at the age of five and his father at eleven. His sister-in-law, Monghibai, raised him.
Further personal hardships, including the death of his elder brother Jesangbhai and his sister-in-law becoming a widow, and a complication in his arranged marriage, led to a growing detachment from worldly life for both Nagarbhai and Monghibai.
Despite persuasion, Nagarbhai's renunciation intensified. He began spending time in contemplation and sought a guru. He met Shri Popatbhai Hansrajbhai of Limbdi, who advised him to go to Shri Devachandraji Maharaj.
They traveled to Kutch, where the teachings of Maharaj Shri Devachandraji profoundly influenced Nagarbhai. He received initiation on a Thursday in Phalguna, Shukla Paksha, Tritiya of Vikram Samvat 1957, at the famous village of Anjar, near the Samādhisthāna of Jesal-Toral. His guru renamed him Muni Nanchandra.

Monastic Life and Ideals:

He spent his Chaturmāsa (annual retreat) in places like Mandvi, Jamnagar, and Morbi.
During this period, he openly expressed his reformist views, advocating for nationalism and supporting the idea that Sadhus singing the glories of Lord Mahavir aloud was acceptable. This earned him recognition as a revolutionary thinker in Saurashtra-Kutch.
Guru Seva and Advanced Studies: When Guru Dev Shri Devachandraji Maharaj was affected by paralysis, Muni Nanchandra decided to serve him. This led to a prolonged stay of nine years (Vikram Samvat 1968 to 1976) in Limbdi. During this time, he diligently studied Sanskrit, Prakrit, philosophy, and poetry, developing his intellectual abilities. He also earned significant appreciation from the Sangha for his social service and literary contributions.
Despite the devoted care from the Sangha and Muni Nanchandra, Guru Dev Shri Devachandraji Maharaj passed away in Vikram Samvat 1977.
Muni Nanchandra experienced profound grief from this loss. Later, in Sayla, he undertook a three-day fast in a basement, which led to a Vāta (wind) illness due to exposure to cold and dampness. However, he held a strong belief in rigorous self-discipline and avoiding excessive comfort.

Influence and Activities:

Appeal to Mumbai Jains: Muni Nanchandra's impressive personality, poetic style, broad perspective, strong yet sweet voice, reformist ideology, and zeal for social development attracted constant invitations from the Jain community in Mumbai for Chaturmāsa. He accepted the invitation for Chaturmāsa in Ghatkopar in Vikram Samvat 1982.
The large attendance at his discourses indicated the significant number of Jains from Saurashtra-Kutch who had settled in Mumbai. During this Chaturmāsa, the foundation for a grand Sthānakavāsī Upāśraya building was laid, spreading a wave of religious awakening throughout the Jain community. He also addressed the All India Sthānakavāsī Jain Conference.
His Chaturmāsa in Limbdi in Vikram Samvat 1983 saw the initiation of Muni Chunilalji. He then spent Chaturmāsa in Wankaner (1984) and in Morbi, where Shri Shivalalji (Santbalji) was initiated in 1985.
His Chaturmāsa in Agra in 1989 included his representation of the Limbdi sect at the Ajmer conference. He observed Chaturmāsa in Ghatkopar (1991) and Kandawadi (1992).
His Chaturmāsa in Borivali in 2014 and 2015 were marked by religious awakening and numerous social and public welfare activities. The Jain community in Borivali, though largely middle and lower-middle class, showed immense devotion and a spirit of collective action.
Last Chaturmāsa and Illness: After completing his Chaturmāsa in 2014, he went to Vajreshwari, expecting to return to his hometown. However, his health deteriorated due to Vāta and cold. Following doctor's advice, he returned to Borivali for better treatment. Mahasati Hansakumari and others from Ahmedabad came to care for him. Due to lack of time to reach his hometown before the next Chaturmāsa and strong insistence from the Borivali community, he decided to stay there for Chaturmāsa, choosing a private residence instead of the Upāśraya for peace. He suffered a mild heart attack during this period but recovered due to medical intervention and the abatement of negative karmas.
After completing Chaturmāsa, he continued his journey towards Gujarat, reaching Limbdi. He experienced another mild heart attack near Viramgam but gradually improved, resuming his activities like discourses, library work, and educational initiatives. He then embarked on his final journey towards Sayla.

Final Days and Demise:

He spent his last four Chaturmāsa in Sayla. His 87th birthday was celebrated with prayer, discourses, and devotional singing in the presence of Santbalji, Muni Chunilalji, Mahasatijis, and devotees.
The final farewell arrived on Sunday, Margashirsha Vada 9, Vikram Samvat 2021. After his morning prayers and routine, he felt chest pain and difficulty breathing. Before a doctor from Surendranagar could arrive, he indicated his acceptance of the four refuges (Arihant, Siddha, Sadhu, and Kevalipranit Dharma) and attained Mahaprayana (passed away) at 10:25 PM.
News of his demise spread rapidly, drawing over ten thousand people from Saurashtra, Gujarat, Mumbai, and Hyderabad for his final darshan. His mortal remains were consigned to the elements amidst chants of "Jai Jai Nanda, Jai Jai Bhadra."
He lived a disciplined life for 64 years, spreading the values of good conduct, detachment, humanism, and the importance of prayer among Jain and non-Jain communities in Saurashtra, Gujarat, and Mumbai.

Chief Disciples:

He initiated Muni Chunilalji in Vikram Samvat 1983 and Muni Santbalji in Vikram Samvat 1985. Both disciples were exceptionally devoted.
Muni Chunilalji: Embodies traditional values and deep devotion to his guru. Even after 60 years of monastic life, he diligently upholds the discipline and teachings of his guru with immense patience and compassion.
Late Muni Santbalji: Had a revolutionary personality. While adhering to his monastic vows, he was inspired by universal love, Indian culture, nationalism, Gandhian ideology, and social reform. His ashram in Chinchana had four main sections named after Shrimad Rajchandra, Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Nanchandraji, and Jawaharlalji.
Together, these disciples kept alive the flame of their guru's ideology and good deeds, fulfilling their debt to him.

Literary Contributions:

Possessing an innate gift for poetry and a deep understanding of prayer, he composed approximately 400 beautiful and melodious devotional songs in various meters. These are published in "Prarthana Mandir" and "Subodh Sangitmala" (Parts 1-3).
He also authored and compiled Sanskrit works such as "Kavyanand" (Parts 1-3) and "Manavta nu Mithu Jagat" (The Sweet World of Humanity).
The text includes examples of his poetry, such as the prayer "He Nath! Grahi Am Hath" and the devotional song "Guru Maharaj ne Vinti," as well as the philosophical piece "Aatma Darshan Virla Pave."

Prose (Adhyatma Bodh - Spiritual Wisdom): The text also presents his prose teachings, emphasizing:

Life and Wealth: Prioritizing life over wealth. The beauty of the world stems from the soul. Chasing material wealth at the cost of one's soul is foolishness.
Purpose of Life: Encouraging introspection about the purpose of life, origins, and destination. Advise to engage in Satsang (good company) and contemplation for well-being, as worldly things are impermanent.
Continuous Effort: Striving to be in the presence of the Divine through constant thought, contemplation, reading, and association. Reducing attachment, increasing service, and practicing control over speech and thoughts. Cultivating virtues like compassion, love, service, and devotion.
Victory over Death: Understanding life's secret as development, which comes from good thoughts born from good knowledge. Avoiding misuse of time, energy, resources, and understanding. The soul, by constant contact with material objects, has become fearful and mortal. By realizing one's true self, one can conquer death.
Spiritual Path: Emphasizing the proper use of time and resources for spiritual practice, cultivating inner vision, and adhering to the goal. Recommending heart purification through introspection, namasmarana (remembrance of the Divine Name), and chanting. Believing in the immense power of Divine Name remembrance, requiring faith, concentration, and love.
Living Harmoniously: Encouraging unbreakable unity, harmony, sweet, loving, and fearless behavior. Enjoying the flow of love and experience. Advising to remain joyous and cheerful, never discouraged or disheartened.
Experience vs. Recitation: Critiquing the prevalent practice of mere recitation or memorization in discourses, lacking genuine personal experience. True attainment and contribution come from self-discovery and purification. Cautioning against pride in actions, rituals, scriptures, or oratory, as these can hinder spiritual growth.

Institutions Inspired by Shri Nanchandraji Maharaj: The text lists several organizations established due to his inspiration:

Sthānakavāsī Jain Vidyarthi Bhuvan, Limbdi (VS 1970)
Shri Devachandraji Sarvajanik Pustakalaya, Limbdi (He donated 7000 books. This library became a significant public library and received awards.)
Pujya Shri Nanchandraji Sarvajanik Mahila Mandal, Limbdi (VS 2003) (Works for the holistic development of women, especially in education and employment.)
Borivali Institutions: Sthānakavāsī Jain Sangh Upāśraya, Hospital, Udyog-Mandir, and Swadharni Stores.
Pujya Nanchandraji Prathmik Shala, Sayla (Established VS 2009).

The text concludes by stating that numerous social and educational institutions were founded in Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Sayla, Jamnagar, Ghatkopar, Mandvi-Kutch, and other places due to his inspiration. He is remembered for his unique contributions to religious propagation, social reform, and the organization of the Chaturvidh Sangha (four-fold community). He is described as a great seeker-saint, renowned kirtankar (devotional singer), and spiritual poet from Gujarat, who possessed original foresight and understood the times.