Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva Evam Krutitva - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva evam Krutitva" (Dr. Sagarmal Jain: Personality and Works), based on the provided pages:

This document is a biographical account of Dr. Sagarmal Jain, detailing his life, personality, educational journey, family life, and significant contributions to Jainology and academia.

Early Life and Education:

Birth and Family: Dr. Sagarmal Jain was born in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, in Vikram Samvat 1988 (1931 AD). His father, Shri Rajmalji Shakkarwale, belonged to the Mandlik gotra and the Oswal community, and despite moderate financial circumstances, was a respected member of society. His mother, Shrimati Gangabai, was a religious woman. He was particularly cherished by his father's maternal aunt, Panbai, who also instilled in him religious values. Panbai herself renounced worldly life and became a respected Sadhvi.
Schooling and Discipline: His early education took place in a strict discipline-oriented school, which helped develop his own sense of discipline and restraint. He excelled in his studies, consistently securing first division and topping his district in the Middle School examination. The text notes his childhood engagement with the independence movement, where he would encourage soldiers and participate in processions. During this time, he also co-founded the "Parshvanath Bal Mitra-Mandal" (Parshvanath Children's Friendship Circle), which focused on social and religious activities and encouraged its members to abstain from vices like smoking.
Interruption in Education: Despite his strong desire for further studies, his family initially wanted him to enter business as he was the eldest son. His education was further disrupted by illness after enrolling in high school in Shujalpur and subsequently had to join the family's jewelry business at a young age.

Personal Life and Balancing Responsibilities:

Marriage and Family: He married Shrimati Kamalabai at the age of 17 in Vikram Samvat 2005 (1948 AD). The early marriage was partly influenced by a concern that his strong inclination towards saints might lead him to renunciation. He had to balance his family and business responsibilities during his youth.
Continued Education Alongside Business: Despite the constraints, he pursued his studies. He obtained 'Vyapar Visharad' from Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag, in 1952 and 'Sahityaratna' in Economics in 1954. He developed a chart for studying economics that was appreciated even by MA students. He also corresponded with noted economist Bhagwandas Ji Kela. During this period, he passed the 'Jain Siddhanta Visharad' examination.
Re-entry into Formal Education: In 1955, he took his high school exams as a private student, achieving high second division marks. This reignited his passion for learning, and he also found success in business, becoming the secretary of the Shajapur Jewellers' Association at a young age. He further pursued and passed the Intermediate Commerce examination in 1957 with high second division marks.
Establishing a College and Completing BA: The lack of a college in Shajapur hindered his higher studies. However, with the state government's policy allowing institutions to run colleges with a fixed deposit, he, along with MLA Shri Pratap Bhai, worked to establish the Balakrishna Sharma Navin College in Shajapur and enrolled himself. Despite heavy commitments, he passed his BA in 1961 in second division, with the highest marks among Shajapur students who appeared for the examination.
Family Life: He became a father in 1951, but tragically lost his first son. He had a second son, Narendra Kumar, in 1952, a daughter, Shobha, in 1954, and another son, Piyushkumar, in 1957. The growing family, his father's illness, and his siblings' education added to his responsibilities at a young age.

Transition to Academia and Research:

Social and Religious Leadership: He actively participated in social and religious activities, serving as secretary for institutions like Madhav Rajat Jayanti Vachanalaya and Hindi Sahitya Samiti. He also led the Kumar Sahitya Parishad and Sad-Vichar Niketan, organizing significant events and connecting with prominent litterateurs. He served as minister for the local Sthanakwasi Jain Sangh and president of the Madhya Pradesh Sthanakwasi Jain Yuwak Sangh, working to unite the Jain community.
Pursuing MA and a Pivotal Career Decision: Despite his busy schedule, his academic interest persisted. With the encouragement of the Shajapur College Principal, he enrolled in MA Philosophy at Christian College, Indore, in 1961. He faced numerous hardships in Indore due to his religious practices, including food-related issues in the hostel, eventually leading him to find separate accommodation. He managed to complete his MA (Part I) in 1962 and MA (Part II) in 1963, both in first division, securing second place in the undivided Madhya Pradesh University.
Shifting from Business to Teaching: A significant turning point came with the Gold Control Act in 1962, which made the gold business difficult to conduct ethically. This, coupled with his younger brother's need for an independent career, led him to consider shifting from the jewelry business to the textile business. However, he was also urged by the academic community to utilize his talent in philosophy.
Accepting a Teaching Position: In 1964, the Madhya Pradesh government announced selections for Philosophy lecturers. He applied and received an appointment order for a lecturer position. This presented a critical choice between continuing his established business and pursuing his passion for knowledge. After consulting with his brother and receiving assurance about the business, he decided to accept the government service, despite concerns from his family about his absence. He made arrangements for the business to be managed by employees and left for Jabalpur.
Early Teaching Assignments and Transfer: His first appointment was at Mahakoshal College, Jabalpur, where he briefly encountered Acharya Rajneesh. Due to administrative issues, he was subsequently transferred to Thakur Ranmat Singh College, Rewa. After a short stay in Rewa, he was ordered to transfer to Maharani Laxmibai PG College, Gwalior.
Settling in Gwalior and Academic Success: He had several reasons to look forward to Gwalior, including connections with Jain community leaders and the opportunity to research Jain relativity and modern science with Prof. G.R. Jain. Upon arrival, his living arrangements were made by Prof. G.R. Jain. He soon developed close friendships with colleagues. In January 1965, he moved his family to Gwalior. Despite the newness of teaching, his hard work and subject mastery made him popular with students. The college started postgraduate classes in Philosophy that year, and he dedicated himself to teaching and guiding students, earning a reputation as a capable teacher.
Doctoral Research and Professorship: He took on the responsibility of teaching Psychology when it was introduced as an independent subject. He registered for his PhD on "Comparative Study of Jain, Buddhist, and Gita Ethics" and began studying primary Jain and Buddhist texts. His stay in Gwalior lasted three years. He was selected by the MP Public Service Commission with the highest preference. His family also desired a transfer closer to their hometown.
Transfers and Contributions in Indore and Bhopal: In November 1967, he was transferred to Government Arts and Commerce College, Indore, and in July 1968, he was promoted to Assistant Professor and Head of Department at Hamidia College, Bhopal. Bhopal offered more opportunities for research. He took charge of the Philosophy department at Hamidia College, which was newly established. With only two students initially, he focused on completing his PhD thesis, submitting the extensive 1500-page work in August 1969. He then dedicated himself to popularizing Philosophy at the college. The establishment of Bhopal University provided him with opportunities to chair the Philosophy study committee and serve on faculty and academic councils. He introduced socially relevant topics like 'Sociology of Religion' and 'Philosophy of Religion' into the curriculum. His teaching style and innovative curriculum led to a significant increase in student numbers, making the college a leader in Philosophy enrollment in Madhya Pradesh. He also taught Sociology and Psychology and advocated for the creation of more faculty positions and the commencement of postgraduate studies in Philosophy.

Deeper Research and National/International Recognition:

Relocation to Varanasi and Leadership at Parshvanath Vidyashram: Despite his success in Bhopal, a significant opportunity arose to head the struggling Parshvanath Vidyashram Research Institute in Varanasi. This was a difficult decision, involving leaving a stable government job for a financially precarious but academically significant institution. With support from influential figures and assurance of financial restructuring, he accepted the role of Director in 1979.
Revitalizing Parshvanath Vidyashram: His arrival revitalized the institute. He expanded his own research interests to include Jain art, archaeology, and history to guide his research students, who had access to various departments at Banaras Hindu University. He emphasized the study of original texts and taught complex philosophical works in an accessible manner. Many monks, nuns, and lay scholars studied under him.
Editing and Publication Work: His work at Vidyashram involved extensive editing and proofreading of texts, including his own research papers and works by renowned scholars. This deepened his understanding of Jain Dharma, philosophy, literature, art, and history.
Awards and Recognition: During his tenure at Hamidia College and later, his academic work was recognized with awards. His books received prestigious awards, and he held leadership positions in academic bodies like the All India Philosophy Association. He was also a visiting faculty and delivered lectures at various universities across India and was invited as a representative speaker on Jainism at the Association of World Religions (1985) and Parliament of World Religions (1993) in America, delivering lectures in multiple cities.
Intellectual Honesty and Scholarship: Dr. Sagarmal Jain is noted for his unbiased and honest approach to research, drawing inspiration from learned scholars like Pt. Sukhlalji Sanghvi and Pt. Dalshukhbhai Malvania. He prioritizes truth over societal approval or criticism. His work on "Jain Ekta" (Jain Unity) was well-received.
Humility and Philosophy of Work: Despite his numerous achievements, he attributes his success to the "scarcity of scholars in Jainology" and considers it a coincidence rather than solely his merit. His guiding principle is to approach any task with complete honesty and dedication, no matter how small.
Influences and Gratitude: He acknowledges the significant influence of religious figures like Babaji Purnamal Ji M.S. and Indarmal Ji M.S., and considers Sadhvi Shri Pan Kunwar Ji M.S. as his spiritual mother. He learned about responsibility from Dr. C.P. Bramo and considers Pt. Sukhlalji and Pt. Dalshukhbhai his "Dronacharyas" (teachers). He credits his wife for helping him understand and live reality, providing strength to face life's hardships. He expresses gratitude to his students, friends, and society for their support.

Literary Contributions:

The document lists an extensive bibliography of his published books, booklets, forewords, and edited works, covering a wide range of topics in Jain philosophy, ethics, language, history, and comparative religion. It also lists numerous research students whose work he guided and various articles published by him in journals and commemorative volumes.

In essence, the book "Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva evam Krutitva" paints a comprehensive picture of Dr. Sagarmal Jain as a highly accomplished scholar, dedicated educator, and devoted member of the Jain community. It highlights his journey from a business background to becoming a leading authority in Jainology, marked by a deep commitment to knowledge, intellectual integrity, and service to academia and his faith.