Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva Evam Krutitva - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva evam Krutitva" by Sagarmal Jain, published by Prachya Vidyapith Shajapur, based on the provided pages:

This book, "Sagarmal Jain Vyaktitva evam Krutitva" (Personality and Works of Sagarmal Jain), is a biographical account detailing the life, education, career, and significant contributions of Dr. Sagarmal Jain. It highlights his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a renowned scholar and academic in Jainology and Philosophy.

Early Life and Upbringing:

Birth and Family: Sagarmal Jain was born in Shajapur, Malwa region of India, on the full moon day of Magh in Vikram Samvat 1988. His father, Shri Rajmalji Shakkarwale, hailed from the Oswal community and was from a modest economic background. He was brought up in a religiously inclined environment, with his father's aunt, Panbai, playing a crucial role in instilling religious values. Panbai herself later took monastic vows.
Education and Early Influences: His initial education was at the rigorous Todewale Bhaiya's school, where he developed discipline. He then attended the Anglo Vernacular Middle School in Shajapur, excelling in his studies and topping the Shajapur district in the Middle School examination. During his schooling, Shajapur was a crucial location on the Agra-Mumbai road, serving as a troop staging ground during World War II. He was also exposed to the burgeoning Indian independence movement through the Prajamandal activities. In his childhood, he established the Parshvanath Bal Mitra Mandal with friends, focusing on keeping members free from vices like smoking and promoting religious values.

Pursuit of Education Amidst Challenges:

Early Obstacles: Despite a strong desire for higher education, family and business responsibilities initially interrupted his academic path. His family wished him to join the business, and Shajapur lacked a high school. He eventually attended a high school in Shujalpur, where his fiancée resided. However, illness and family concern led to his return to Shajapur, and he entered the goldsmith (sarraf) business at a young age.
Balancing Business and Study: Remarkably, Sagarmal Jain continued his education alongside his business. He earned a 'Vyapar Visharad' in 1952 and 'Sahityaratna' in Economics in 1954. He even developed a chart for studying Economics that was appreciated by Master's students. He also corresponded with economist Bhagwandas Ji Kela and was inspired to write on human economics. During this period, he also passed the 'Jain Siddhanta Visharad' examination.
Resumption of Formal Education: A private high school started in Shajapur in 1953, reigniting his academic ambition. He completed his High School examination as a private student in 1955, achieving high second division marks. He continued to excel, passing the Inter Commerce examination in 1957 with high second division marks.
Higher Education Through Initiative: Due to the absence of a college in Shajapur, he, along with others, took the initiative to establish a college, "Balakrishna Sharma 'Navin' Mahavidyalaya," by raising funds. He then enrolled and obtained his B.A. in 1961 with second division, despite immense family and business obligations.

Family and Social Engagement:

Family Life: He married Shrimati Kamlabai at the age of 17 in 1948. He had children, but faced the sorrow of losing his first son. His growing family, his father's ill health, and his younger siblings' education added to his responsibilities at a young age.
Social and Religious Leadership: His involvement extended to various social and religious organizations. He served as secretary of the Madhav Rajat Jayanti Vachanalaya and Hindi Sahitya Samiti in Shajapur. He also led the Kumar Sahitya Parishad and Sad-Vichar Niketan, organizing significant events. He held positions like minister of the local Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh and President of the Madhya Pradesh Sthanakvasi Jain Yuwak Sangh, working towards societal unity.

Transition to Academia and Doctoral Studies:

MA in Philosophy: Driven by his intellectual curiosity, he pursued his M.A. in Philosophy at Christian College, Indore, in 1961. This involved significant challenges, including finding suitable accommodation and adhering to strict hostel rules, which sometimes conflicted with his Jain principles. Despite these hurdles, he completed his M.A. in 1962 (preliminary) and 1963 (final) with first division, securing the second position in the entire Vikram University.
Shifting Career Paths: The introduction of the Gold Control Act in 1962 made gold trading difficult. Coupled with the encouragement from scholars to utilize his philosophical expertise, this led him to transition from business to academia.
Joining Government Service as a Philosophy Lecturer: In 1964, he accepted a position as a Philosophy Lecturer with the Madhya Pradesh government, prioritizing "Saraswati" (knowledge) over "Lakshmi" (wealth). His first appointment was at Mahakosal College, Jabalpur, where he briefly interacted with Acharya Rajneesh (later Osho). He was then transferred to Thakur Ranmat Singh College, Rewa, and subsequently to Maharani Lakshmibai Postgraduate College, Gwalior. His initial experiences in government service involved some instability, but his perseverance and intellectual acumen soon made him a favorite among students.
Doctoral Research: In Gwalior, he began his doctoral research on "Comparative Study of Jain, Buddhist, and Gita's Ethical Philosophies," immersing himself in Jain Agamas and Buddhist Tripitaka literature.

Academic Leadership and Contributions:

Head of Department and Professorship: He was transferred to Government Arts and Commerce College, Indore, and later appointed Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy at Hamidia College, Bhopal, in 1968. Here, he revitalized the philosophy department, increasing student enrollment significantly and making it the top department in Madhya Pradesh for philosophy student numbers. He also taught Sociology and Psychology. He actively worked towards creating new positions in Philosophy and initiating postgraduate studies.
Director of Parshvanath Vidyashram Research Institute: In 1979, he took charge as Director of the Parshvanath Vidyashram Research Institute in Varanasi. This marked a significant phase where he brought new life to the institution, expanding his own research into Jain art, archaeology, and history. He emphasized the study of original texts and mentored numerous research scholars, including monks and nuns.
Academic Engagements and Recognition: Dr. Sagarmal Jain participated in numerous national and international seminars and conferences. He was invited to speak at universities and Jain institutions across India and abroad. He represented Jainism as a speaker at the Association of World Religions (1985) and the Parliament of World Religions (1993) in America, delivering lectures in various cities. He also lectured on Jain Yoga at the University of London in 2009.
Scholarship and Literary Output: He has made immense contributions to Jain literature through editing and publishing over 150 books, totaling approximately one lakh pages. He is also associated with the Jain E-Library project. His writings are characterized by intellectual honesty, a commitment to truth, and freedom from sectarian biases. He learned his objective approach from scholars like Pandit Sukhlalji and Pandit Dalsukhbhai Malvania.
Founder of Prachya Vidyapeeth, Shajapur: In 1997, he established the Prachya Vidyapeeth in his hometown, Shajapur, dedicated to the high-level study, teaching, training, and research of Indian ancient studies, particularly Jain and Buddhist traditions, and the promotion of Indian cultural values. This institution was recognized as a research institute by Vikram University, Ujjain, in 2000. The Vidyapeeth houses a significant library with rare texts and manuscripts.

Awards and Honors: The book lists numerous awards and honors received by Dr. Sagarmal Jain, recognizing his prolific scholarship and contributions to Jainology and Philosophy. These include the Pradeepkumar Rampuria Award, Pranavanand Award, Acharya Tulsi Prakrit Award, and Vidya Rathi Samman, among many others.

Guidance and Mentorship: Dr. Sagarmal Jain has guided over 50 research scholars for their PhD and D.Litt degrees. The book details a comprehensive list of these research works. He also served as an editor for various publications and was an editor for the "Encyclopedia of Jain Studies."

Personal Philosophy and Gratitude: Dr. Jain attributes his success to the lack of scholars in Jainology, but more importantly, to a diligent approach to every task presented. He acknowledges the significant influence of his spiritual guides, family members, teachers, and friends in shaping his personality and career. He emphasizes that an individual is a product of their time, circumstances, and society, and that acknowledging these contributions leads to greatness.

In essence, the book paints a detailed picture of Dr. Sagarmal Jain as a dedicated scholar, an inspiring teacher, a visionary leader, and a humble individual who has significantly enriched the field of Jain studies and contributed to the preservation and promotion of ancient Indian knowledge.