Sadhna Sahitya Aur Itihas Ke Kshetra Me Vishishta Yogdan

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the contributions of Acharya Hastimalji in the fields of Sadhana (spiritual practice), literature, and history:

The text, authored by Lalchand Jain, details the significant contributions of Acharya Hastimalji in the realms of spiritual practice, literature, and history within the Jain tradition.

Contributions in the Field of Sadhana (Spiritual Practice):

• Promoting the Swadhyay Sangh (Self-Study Association): Witnessing a decline in Jain monks and nuns and the inability to adequately spread Jain Dharma across India, Acharya Hastimalji conceived the idea of a "peace army" comprising householders to propagate Jainism. This idea solidified when a devotee from Dhar requested a monk for Paryushan lectures. Acharya Hastimalji, then a student, was sent to Dhar and successfully conducted the Paryushan, leading to the formal establishment of the Swadhyay Sangh in Bhopalgarh the following year. Today, branches of the Swadhyay Sangh are spread across India, organizing Paryushan in areas without monks and nuns. The text highlights the establishment of Swadhyay Sanghs in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra during Acharya Hastimalji's Chaturmas in Indore and Jalgaon, respectively, with branches subsequently opening in other states, including distant Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Emphasizing the Importance of Swadhyay: Acharya Hastimalji consistently inquired about the spiritual practices of visitors, urging them to engage in at least 15 minutes of Swadhyay daily if they weren't already doing so. He underscored the profound spiritual benefit of Swadhyay, citing the Uttaradhyayana Sutra which states that there is no penance equal to Swadhyay, and it leads to liberation from all sorrows and the eradication of accumulated karma. He believed that past influential lay Jains achieved their spiritual stature through Swadhyay and that the future of Jainism depends on it.
• Promoting Bhav Samayik (Inner Equanimity): Acharya Hastimalji observed that many individuals performed "Dravya Samayik" (ritualistic observance of Samayik without inner change), failing to achieve inner equanimity or overcome vices like anger and greed. He advocated for "Bhav Samayik" (Samayik with inner focus and equanimity), emphasizing that true transformation comes from mindful participation. He stressed the concluding words of the Samayik ritual: "Thane'n, Mone'n, Bhane'n" (with posture, silence, and contemplation), encouraging silent contemplation and self-reflection during Samayik. This practice, he believed, would gradually foster equanimity and life transformation. He encouraged everyone to commit to at least one Samayik per week, if not daily. The establishment of Samayik Sanghs across villages and towns and the All India Samayik Sangh in Jaipur are attributed to his efforts in promoting Bhav Samayik.
• Founding the Sadhak Sangathan (Seeker's Organization): To bridge the gap between monks and lay practitioners, Acharya Hastimalji recognized the need for an organization for householders dedicated to spiritual progress. This led to the formation of the Sadhak Sangathan, which organizes annual seeker camps focusing on meditation, silence, and penance, providing valuable learning experiences and inner peace.
• Demonstrating Dehatit (Transcendental) State: In his final years, Acharya Hastimalji exemplified the state of self-realization, demonstrating that the body and soul are distinct. He showed that while the body is inert, the soul is conscious and immortal. He taught that one who understands this distinction is fearless and views death as a transition, like changing clothes, even a celebration. His own peaceful departure (Samadhi Maran) was presented as a direct example of this transcendental state and the realization of the body-soul distinction.

Contributions in the Field of Literature:

• Inspiration for Jinvanani Magazine: Recognizing the absence of a high-quality Jain literary magazine comparable to 'Kalyan,' Acharya Hastimalji inspired the launch of the monthly magazine 'Jinvanani' from Bhopalgarh. The magazine progressed significantly, moving to Jodhpur and then Jaipur, where under the editorship of Dr. Narendra Bhanawat, it achieved the esteemed status of 'Kalyan' in the Jain community. Its special issues on topics like "Karma Siddhanta" and "Jain Culture and Rajasthan" have been widely appreciated.
• Literary Prowess and Translation: Acharya Hastimalji was a natural litterateur and poet. He translated the Uttaradhyayana Sutra directly from Prakrit to Hindi verse, showcasing his poetic talent. He also wrote a commentary on the Prashnavyakarana Sutra in Hindi. A scholar of Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Gujarati, his lectures were also highly literary, as evidenced by the seven volumes of "Gajendra Vyakhyan Mala." He composed many popular Hindi verses sung in prayer meetings.
• Inspiring Other Writers: Beyond his own literary output, Acharya Hastimalji inspired many others to write. Numerous individuals have acknowledged his inspiration in their tribute writings. The author himself credits Acharya Hastimalji for encouraging his transition from Gujarati translation to writing and for enabling him to translate significant works like 'Upamiti Bhava Prapancha Katha'. His support for individuals facing legal issues by providing them shelter and facilitating their studies in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Jain Dharma, and philosophy, and encouraging their writing, highlights his deep love for literature.
• Supporting Publication: To address the publication difficulties faced by writers, Acharya Hastimalji inspired the establishment of the Samyagyan Pracharak Mandal in Jaipur, which publishes spiritual literature along with 'Jinvanani.'
• Establishment of All India Jain Vidwat Parishad: To bring Jain scholars and their ideas to the forefront, the All India Jain Vidwat Parishad was established under the guidance of Dr. Narendra Bhanawat in Jaipur. This council holds annual scholarly seminars, bringing many Jain scholars into prominence. The tract scheme under this council distributes 108 books for Rs. 101, with 83 books already published.
• Publication of Swadhyay Shiksha: To provide home-based specialized training for Swadhyay practitioners, the bi-monthly magazine 'Swadhyay Shiksha' was launched, featuring departments for Prakrit, Sanskrit, and Hindi, with a strong emphasis on Prakrit language learning through regular lessons.
• Establishment of All India Mahavir Jain Shravika Sangh and Vir Upasika Magazine: To empower women with knowledge, the All India Mahavir Jain Shravika Sangh was established, and the magazine 'Vir Upasika' was launched from Madras, primarily featuring articles for women.
• Establishment of Jain Ratna Higher Secondary School: Recognizing the importance of education for future writers and scholars, Acharya Hastimalji established the Jain Ratna Higher Secondary School and hostel in Bhopalgarh, which has produced students who are now contributing to society across India. The school has consistently achieved excellent examination results.

Contributions in the Field of History:

• Undertaking Difficult Historical Research: The text acknowledges the immense difficulty of historical research, requiring the discovery of facts and presentation of evidence, especially for a monk who cannot use vehicles. Despite these challenges, Acharya Hastimalji took on the task of writing authentic Jain history from Lord Rishabhdev to the present era.
• Authoring a Comprehensive Jain History: He meticulously researched ancient manuscripts, inscriptions, temples, and cave libraries across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. His work involved continuous research, reading ancient texts and inscriptions from dawn till dusk without rest.
• Overcoming Challenges in Locating Information: The text specifically mentions the difficulty in finding authentic facts about Lonasah. To address this, the author was sent to the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Bharatiya Shodh Sansthan in Ahmedabad, where he spent six months meticulously reviewing manuscripts and, with the help of Shri Malvaniya, sent photocopies of discovered evidence about Lonasah and the Lonkagachha to the Jain History Committee in Jaipur. This highlights the laborious nature of Acharya Hastimalji's historical endeavor.
• Pioneering Work in Jain Historiography: The author emphasizes that Acharya Hastimalji accomplished a task that was challenging even for renowned historians. The text concludes by stating that future generations will remember Acharya Hastimalji for this significant historical contribution.

In essence, the text portrays Acharya Hastimalji as a multifaceted visionary who significantly contributed to the spiritual, literary, and historical landscape of Jainism, leaving behind a legacy of profound influence and inspiration.