Sauhard Murti Motilalji Kapadia - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about Motilalji Kapadia:

This text, "Sauhard Murti Motilalji Kapadia" by Atmanandji, highlights the life and contributions of Shri Motilalji Kapadia, a prominent figure dedicated to the upliftment of the Jain community.

Early Life and Education: Motilalji Kapadia was born in Bhavnagar on December 7, 1879. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Bhavnagar and moved to Mumbai for his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.). In 1910, he passed the Solicitor's examination and established a solicitor firm named "Motichand and Devidas" with his friend Devidas Desai. He was deeply influenced by his uncle, Kunvarji Kapadia, a well-known personality in the Jain community, who instilled in him strong religious values and a deep interest in religious literature.

Social, Institutional, and National Activities: While building a successful career as a solicitor, Motilalji actively participated in various public spheres, contributing significantly to each. He played a crucial role in numerous Jain community activities. Two of his most significant contributions were the establishment of the "Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya" and his involvement with the "Shri Jain Shvetambar Murtipujak Conference."

Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya: Founded in 1916, this institution aimed to provide accommodation and food for Jain students studying in Mumbai colleges. Motilalji was not only the secretary from its inception but also its driving force. He tirelessly collected funds, facing insults, for the development of the Vidyalaya, which remained his constant concern. The institution, which has since expanded with numerous branches, stands as a testament to his 34 years of dedicated service.
Shri Jain Shvetambar Murtipujak Conference: Motilalji made immense efforts to keep this conference alive and active despite facing many adversities. He held a deep affection for the conference and served in a leading capacity for a considerable period.

Evolving Ideals and Approach: Over time, Motilalji's thoughts and attitudes evolved in line with changing times. Despite remaining a devoted Jain until the end of his life, his perspective on various social and religious issues adapted. His intellectual growth, driven by broad observation and experience, led to continuous change. However, in his social work, his approach and methods always remained conciliatory. He prioritized action over mere thought.

His natural inclination was to mingle with people from all walks of life, speaking and acting in a way that caused no offense. He worked with everyone to foster the progress and economic benefit of institutions he cared for. His working philosophy involved compromise, maintaining harmony, engaging with older generations, and staying connected with new ones. His life's aspiration was to contribute as much as possible to any noble cause, be it community-based, religious, or national. His mind was constantly developing, leading to the continuous growth of his public activities.

Literary and Intellectual Pursuits: Just as bright was his work ethic (karma yoga), so was his intellectual pursuit (gyana yoga). He had a vast reading appetite, with Jain literature being a subject of deep study. From a young age, he had a strong passion for reading literature and keeping up with periodicals. He began writing during his student days, initially contributing to the monthly magazine "Jain Dharmaprakash." Subsequently, his own books began to be published regularly.

A significant portion of his writings consists of detailed critiques of notable works by renowned Jain scholars. He was inherently drawn to spiritual and detachment-inspiring literature, and thus, his critical selections were from this genre. His first critique, on Muni Sundarsuri's "Adhyatmakalpadrum," was published in 1909 and gained immense popularity. Following this, the first part of "Anandghan Padyaratnavali" was released, offering detailed commentary on fifty poems by Shri Anandghanji. He also published a comprehensive translation of "Upamiti Bhavaprapancha Katha," a renowned Sanskrit text by Jain monk Shri Siddharshigani, dedicating one part to an extensive and historical critique of Siddharshi's life and literature. He also favorably reviewed the devotional epic "Shansudharas" and translated Dr. Bulle's biography of Shrimad Hemchandracharya. Additionally, he authored and published numerous other works such as "Yoga from a Jain Perspective," "Jainism in the New Era," "Yashodhar Charitra," "Biography of Motisha Seth," and "Bahut Gayi Thodi Rahi."

Later Life and Literary Legacy: After a serious illness in August 1948, during the remaining two and a half years of his life, he wrote a detailed critique of the well-known religious text "Prashamrati." He also completed his work on Anandghan by writing commentaries on the remaining poems and "Chovisi" in the same style as "Anandghan Padyaratnavali." He harbored a desire to compile all poems, hymns, and bhajans dedicated to Mahavir Swami into a collection. To fulfill this, he divided the compilation into twenty-five parts, completing the first section related to Mahavir Swami's previous lives and starting the second shortly before his passing. Thus, he left behind a considerable amount of unpublished literary work, and many of his published works await reprinting.

Writing Style: Considering his literary output, it's evident that he was a man of the common people. He was mindful of the less educated and less understanding segment of society, harboring a deep desire to guide them towards the spiritual path and detachment. Consequently, he often reiterated the same points, presenting the same principles in various forms, never tiring of it. He believed that repetition in religious discourse was not a flaw, as his experience taught him that the general public wouldn't grasp concepts concisely. As a result, his writing style was simple, clear, filled with anecdotes, and always leaned towards elaborating on the subject matter at a moderate pace.

Distinguishing Qualities and Virtues:

Unwavering Optimism: This was his greatest quality. Even when others felt hopeless in any situation, he could find a glimmer of hope and steer their course with enthusiasm.
Inherent Amiability (Sauhard): He possessed a naturally pleasant disposition. He was someone who would welcome everyone, finding joy in helping others, and showing heartfelt sympathy for any community-benefiting activity. He would readily extend his support wherever he could.
Respect for Other Faiths: Despite his profound love and faith in Jainism, he never showed disrespect towards other religions or sects, which was a manifestation of his extensive amiability.
Diligence: His capacity for continuous hard work was the key to his success. He never knew fatigue until he fell seriously ill at the age of 69. He couldn't bear to lag behind in anything.
Humility: Another admirable quality was his humility. When entrusted with leadership roles in any group or institution, he fulfilled them with competence and unparalleled capability. Conversely, when he was a follower, he did so with the same loyalty and dedication. He never felt diminished by walking behind someone, and he respectfully acknowledged the strengths of others.

Motilalji Kapadia lived a long life, rich in activities across both karma yoga and gyana yoga. He was an exemplary figure for all those on the path of service, embodying a beautiful synthesis of practicality and idealism. He has now passed on to the next world, leaving behind a lasting fragrance. His life serves as an inspiration, demonstrating how an individual, progressing with consistent devotion from ordinary circumstances, can accumulate a significant legacy of service by the end of their life. Observing the life of Shri Motichandbhai offers profound inspiration.