Muni Shri Santbalji

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Muni Shri Santbalji" by Atmanandji:

Muni Shri Santbalji: A Visionary Jain Mendicant and Social Reformer

The text introduces Muni Shri Santbalji as an exceptional figure of the 20th century who embodied the principle of saints serving the welfare of the poor, illiterate, and tribal populations. This aligns with the belief, also held by Mahatma Gandhi, that rulers should govern based on truth, non-violence, and justice, while saints should lend their voice and guidance to uplift marginalized communities.

Early Life and Path to Renunciation: Born Shivlal in 1904 in the village of Tol, Gujarat, a place also noted as the birthplace of Shrimad Rajchandra and Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, he hailed from a reputable and cultured family. His parents, Shri Nagjibhai and Shrimati Motiben, instilled in him values of service, devotion, and honesty. Orphaned at the age of five, he completed his early education at his maternal home, a spiritually devoted environment. At thirteen, he moved to Mumbai to support his mother, securing a job and earning his employer's respect through his diligence and integrity.

Despite being offered partnership in a firm due to his trustworthiness, Shivlal's heart yearned for spiritual company. He was profoundly influenced by the lectures of Jain mendicant Shri Nanchandraji, whose teachings blended the philosophies of Lord Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi. Inspired to renounce worldly life, Shivlal decided to take Dixa (initiation) after his mother's passing, with his sister's and relatives' consent. The existing ban on granting Dixa by Jain mendicants was lifted by the King of Morbi, who was moved by Shri Nanchandraji's sermons. In 1929, thousands witnessed Shivlal's Dixa, and he became Muni Shri Saubhagya Chandra, a devoted disciple of Shri Nanchandraji, later becoming renowned as Santbal.

Intellectual Prowess and Literary Contributions: Within five years of his Dixa, Muni Shri Santbalji displayed remarkable intellectual capacity by mastering Sanskrit, Prakrit, English, and Hindi, along with deep study of philosophical scriptures like Nyaya, Praman, and Tark, and various world religions. His rapid and profound learning surprised scholars and his own teacher. He was recognized as a ShataVadhani (one who can remember a hundred verses at once) and received the title "Bharat Ratna" from learned individuals at an Ajmer conference.

Between 1933 and 1938, he produced extensive literature for the Gujarati community, including translations of key Jain scriptures like Uttaradhyayan, Dashvaishalik, Acharang, and Avashyak into simple and effective Gujarati. He presented the first two as poetry under the title "Sadhak Sahachari." In his later years, he translated the Tattvarth Sootra into Gujarati poetry, making it accessible to the Gujarati Samaj and demonstrating his profound learning and poetic skill.

Disillusionment and Revolutionary Social Vision: Despite his scholarly achievements, Muni Shri Santbalji experienced a sense of dissatisfaction. Seeking introspection, he spent a year in complete solitude on the banks of the Narmada River. Emerging from this penance, he proclaimed revolutionary ideas for societal reform based on religious principles. This stance led to his disapproval and boycott by the Sangh that had granted him Dixa.

However, Muni Shri Santbalji remained steadfast in his commitment to reforming religious practices that were detrimental to society while preserving its core values of truth and the composite unity of Indian culture. He maintained his Jain mendicant vows, living a life of alms and movement, driven by his determined goals, despite the ostracization.

Pioneering Social Service and Community Upliftment: Muni Shri Santbalji's true calling was not to detach from society but to actively improve it. He dedicated himself to the welfare of individuals and the collective good, venturing into the impoverished and backward regions of Gujarat's Bhal-Nalkantha. There, where even basic necessities like drinking water were scarce, he instilled new thinking, hope, and courage in the ignorant populace.

With a motherly compassion, he worked among the poor, illiterate, neglected, and oppressed, who were victims of moneylenders, land brokers, exploitative labor practices, superstition, and societal evils. He lived by the sentiment, "Let me be mother of the whole world and shower love over everyone." He established centers for constructive work, fostering unity among villages, lower castes, and women to promote self-respect.

His initiatives included promoting cooperatives, education, Khadi and cottage industries, improved agriculture, cattle rearing, revitalizing village panchayats, establishing arbitration for local disputes, advocating for Lok Adalats for larger issues, creating committees for the marginalized, healthcare clinics, and various unions for farmers, cowherds, laborers, and village industries. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and self-reliance, providing programs for sustenance, housing, clothing, education, health, justice, and security.

Muni Shri Santbalji tirelessly worked to establish democratic governance, a non-violent and religious society, ethical dealings, and a strong work ethic. He inspired faith and hope through his virtues and the power of his penance, empowering people to help themselves and others. He liberated them from fatalistic beliefs, guiding them for 45 years, during which ordinary individuals achieved extraordinary feats under his inspiration. He illuminated villages, enabling the meek to find their inner strength.

He prioritized the long-term welfare of people over immediate gains, advocating for change in circumstances, entrenched thinking, and hearts. His life, his vow of not begging, and his reputation were all at stake in his pursuit of preserving social values. His ideals touched every facet of society, aiming to build a community based on equality, compassion, and respect for all. He made significant contributions to economic, social, educational, cultural, political, spiritual, moral, and religious spheres, opposing injustice through non-violent means and striving for truth and justice. He transformed individual Jain practices into social actions, offering a holistic approach to personal and societal betterment.

Final Testament and Legacy: Muni Shri Santbalji advocated for all mendicants to transcend caste, creed, community, region, and religion and work for world peace. He spent his final years in Chinchan village, Thana District, Maharashtra, with the wish to establish an International Centre named Mahavirnagar. He passed away on Friday, March 26, 1982, on the auspicious day of Gudi Padvo. Honored by all in Maharashtra, he followed the tradition of medieval saints by sharing narratives from epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwat, and the Bhagavad Gita, alongside Lord Mahavir's teachings, adapted for contemporary society. He inspired everyone to engage in social service, stating, "Service to society is service to God," and urged them never to forget this principle. The text concludes by emphasizing that his legacy will be honored through emulation of his actions.