Vijay Dharmsuri - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary is based on the provided Jain text, "Vijay Dharmsuri," authored by Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah. The text details the life and work of Acharya Shri Vijaydharmasuri, a prominent proponent of Ahimsa (non-violence) and a learned Jain Acharya of the 20th century Vikram Samvat.

Early Life and Transformation:

Shri Vijaydharmasuri was born Mulchand in 1867 in Mahuva, Kathiawad, into a modest Jain family. His parents were Ramchandra and Kamaladevi.
He grew up amidst many siblings and, due to the family's circumstances, received less direct supervision. This led him to associate with other street children, some of whom engaged in negative activities.
At the age of eight, his father put him to work in his shop, believing he wouldn't excel academically. Mulchand, accustomed to roaming, found it difficult to sit still.
He developed a serious gambling addiction, escalating from small amounts to significant stakes. He was adept at hiding this from his parents.
A significant gambling loss and subsequent scolding by his father deeply affected Mulchand's sense of self-respect. Feeling ashamed and resolved to change, he secretly left home one night.

Spiritual Awakening and Renunciation:

He traveled to Bhavnagar, where he heard the teachings of Jain Acharya Vriddhichandji. These sermons had a profound impact, particularly a verse emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul.
This experience ignited a strong sense of detachment from worldly life, and Mulchand decided to embrace the monastic path (Shraman Dharma).
He sought his parents' consent. His father initially refused due to paternal affection, but eventually agreed after recognizing the sincerity of Mulchand's spiritual inclination.
On May 12, 1887, Mulchand renounced worldly life with great fanfare, and his name was changed to Dharmavijay.

Sadhana and Intellectual Growth:

As a Jain monk, Dharmavijay focused on the core tenets of Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession), alongside Swadhyaya (self-study).
Initially, his intellectual capacity seemed slow due to his past lifestyle. However, through diligent and concentrated study, his intellect sharpened significantly.
He mastered Sanskrit and Prakrit grammar and delved deeply into Jain scriptures. His sharp intellect and insightful understanding impressed those around him.
Tragically, his guru passed away during this period. While he found solace in the Jain principle of impermanence, he often felt the impact of his guru's memory.

Preaching and Social Service:

Following the Jain tradition of continuous travel, Shri Dharmavijay began his journey across various villages. He preached the principles of Ahimsa and the life of Lord Mahavir to people from all walks of life.
His sincere and loving discourse resonated deeply, earning him many devoted followers throughout Kathiawad and Gujarat. He also diligently studied the science of logic (Nyaya Shastra).
He returned to his birthplace after six years, finding his father had passed away but his mother was still alive. His family was overjoyed to see the transformation in the once wayward Mulchand.
However, Dharmavijay no longer belonged to one family but to the world. Witnessing the ignorance prevalent in society fueled his desire to undertake significant efforts for its betterment.
While traveling in Gujarat after the monsoon, he established a library in Viramgam and a school for Sanskrit and spiritual studies in Mandla.

Journey to Kashi and Educational Endeavors:

Recognizing Kashi as the ideal center for advanced learning, Dharmavijay decided to undertake the arduous journey to this ancient city. This involved a challenging 1200-1300 mile trek with strict adherence to Jain vows regarding food and water.
His devotees expressed concern about this difficult journey, but Dharmavijay believed that avoiding hardship was not the path of a true seeker and that the journey would bring significant benefits.
He departed Gujarat with six monks and ten disciples. They faced numerous difficulties, including harsh living conditions, but their perseverance was unwavering.
They reached Kashi in 1902. Initially, they faced challenges in finding accommodation due to being unknown and facing prejudice from orthodox scholars. They finally found lodging in an old, albeit infested, dharmashala, which tested their resilience.

Establishing a Learning Center in Kashi:

Undaunted by adversity, Dharmavijay began giving public discourses in Kashi. His fluency in Hindi captivated the audiences, including scholars, who were impressed by his intellect.
He secured a suitable building for a school, known as the "Shri Yashovijay Jain Pathshala," purchased by two devotees from Mumbai. The number of students grew from ten to sixty.
He also founded the Shri Hemchandracharya Jain Library and the Shri Yashovijay Jain Granthamala, which published valuable literary works and attracted scholarly attention.
His fame reached the Maharaja of Kashi, who invited him to the royal palace. Dharmavijay's profound discussion on religious principles deeply impressed the Maharaja and the assembled scholars, elevating his status in Kashi.

Participation in Religious Conferences and Expansion of Influence:

In 1906, he participated in the Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha in Allahabad, delivering a compelling speech on Jainism that astonished the audience. The Maharaja of Darbhanga engaged in a theological discussion with him and had his doubts resolved.
After achieving his goals in Kashi, he traveled to Bihar and Bengal, regions associated with Lord Mahavir and other saints. He was saddened by the prevalence of meat-eating and delivered powerful discourses on Ahimsa, leading many to renounce non-vegetarianism.
In 1907, he reached Calcutta, where he met various scholars and delivered speeches on Ahimsa and the prohibition of animal sacrifice during Kali Puja, awakening public consciousness. He gained many wealthy and middle-class devotees here as well.
After visiting Navadweep, a center of logic studies, he returned to Kashi.

Recognition and Title:

Recognizing his scholarship and character, distinguished scholars from Banaras, Bihar, Bengal, and other regions, under the chairmanship of the Maharaja of Kashi, conferred upon him the title of "Shastra-Visharad Jainacharya." This recognition from the scholarly community was a significant achievement.
From this point onward, he became known by the title "Shri Vijaydharmasuri" according to Jain tradition.

Nationwide Influence and Literary Contributions:

Over nine years of his impactful journey outside Gujarat, Shri Vijaydharmasuri had established the name of Jainism among scholars across India and cultivated a community of learned individuals through his schools.
His Granthamala and commentary on Yogashastra attracted international scholars, and many rulers showed him respect for his erudition.
During this period, he also initiated a monthly magazine named "Jinshasan," contributing a regular series of religious discourses. He traveled through various cities and performed his Chaturmas (four-month stay during the monsoon) in Ayodhya, where he established a Jain library and a Jain Gurukul in Palitana, Kathiawad.
He continued to assist European and American scholars in their study of Jain literature.
He traveled through Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur, and Ajmer, then ventured into South Rajasthan.

Collaboration with Western Scholars and Jain Literature:

During this time, the renowned German scholar Hermann Jacobi visited India. He had made significant contributions to Jain literature with the assistance of Shri Vijaydharmasuri. Jacobi met him in Jodhpur, where a "Jain Sahitya Sammelan" (Jain Literature Conference) was organized.
This conference brought to light many Jain texts that had been hidden away. Held under the patronage of the Agent-to-the-Governor of Rajputana, with the renowned scholar H. Satishchandra Vidyabhushan as president, the conference provided many people with a true understanding and respect for Jain literature.

Pilgrimages and Further Educational Initiatives:

He then embarked on a pilgrimage to the ancient Tirtha of Ashiyana and traveled through the Godwad region. Observing the educational backwardness, he established several schools and spent his Chaturmas in Shivganj.
He then visited pilgrimage sites like Ranakpurji and Kesariyaji, before traveling in Mewar. He met the Maharana of Udaipur, who was deeply impressed by him.
In Mewar, he promoted education and conducted research on the inscriptions of the ancient temple of Delvada, which were later published as a book called "Devkulpattak."

Return to Gujarat and Service During Plague:

He then returned to Gujarat. His arrival was met with a mix of enthusiasm and misunderstanding from a populace steeped in superstition and tradition. However, his presence infused new life into the scholarly and leadership circles, and among the general public.
During this period, Gujarat and Kathiawad were severely affected by the plague. Undeterred by the danger, Suriji fearlessly traveled from village to village, offering religious discourses and providing support.
After completing his work in Gujarat, he moved to Kathiawad.

Activities in Kathiawad and Founding of Mahuva Ashram:

During his travels in Kathiawad, he met the rulers and administrators of Jamnagar, Gondal, Wankaner, Dholka, Sayla, Pithadiya, Bagasara, Virpur, Rajkot, Palitana, Porbandar, and Junagadh, leaving a significant impression of Ahimsa on them.
He then visited his birthplace, Mahuva, where he established the "Shri Mahuva Yashvruddhi Jain Balashram," an institution that continues his father's work effectively.

Arrival in Mumbai and "Shri Veerattva Prakashak Mandal":

He then proceeded to Gujarat again, traveling through Khambhat, Dharmapur, and other places, reaching Mumbai in 1919, where he was warmly welcomed.
He stayed in Mumbai for nearly two years, meeting numerous scholars and the Governor of Bombay. He established the "Shri Veerattva Prakashak Mandal."

International Recognition and Literary Output:

Around this time, Mr. Thomas, the Curator of the Indian Library section of the British Museum in London, visited Mumbai. He met Suriji with great affection and reverence.
These meetings brought pride not only to Jainism but to Gujarat as a whole, as a Gujarati scholar gained recognition among all-Indian scholars and respect from foreign intellectuals.
He then moved to North India and settled in Shivpuri (Gwalior state).
By this time, he had dedicated numerous works to literature, including "Ahimsadigdarshan," "Jain Tattvadigdarshan," "Jain Shikshadigdarshan," "Purushartha Digdarshan," "Indriya Pasanjaya Digdarshan," "Brahmacharya Digdarshan," "Atmanniti Digdarshan," "Dharmadeshna," "Praman Paribhasha," "Aitihasik Tirthmala Sangrah," "Aitihasik Ras Sangrah" (Parts 1-3), "Devkulpattak," and his scholarly commentary on Yogashastra.
His support for European and American scholars studying Jain literature was invaluable. He inspired and assisted many scholars, including Dr. Hertle, Dr. Finot, Dr. Jolly, Dr. Tucci, Dr. Subring, Dr. Miss Hansen, Dr. Jacobi, Dr. Mees, Dr. Bellany, Dr. Hulish, Dr. Miron, Dr. Miscroz, Dr. Kane, Dr. Nebel, Dr. Lumman, Dr. Valley, Dr. Kirfel, Dr. Helmuth, Mr. Warren, Dr. Neglin, Dr. Levy, Dr. Stein, Dr. Carpentier, Dr. Zimmer, Dr. Luma, Mr. Patel, Dr. Winterse, and many others.
He also inspired numerous scholars in India to study Jainism. He had a strong command of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Hindi, Old Gujarati, and Gujarati languages. He was an esteemed member of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Asiatic Society of Italy, and the German Oriental Society.

Legacy and Passing:

The disciples he trained were instrumental in challenging regressive practices within the Jain community.
He remained a dedicated Karma Yogi until his last moments, finding no dissatisfaction in leaving his mortal coil, though his heart ached at the societal conditions.
In the early part of Bhadrava Sud 9, Samvat 1978, his health declined. Dr. Sylvain Lévi, a renowned French scholar, visited him with his wife in Shivpuri. Despite his critical condition, Suriji instructed his disciples to bring Dr. Lévi to him when he felt slightly better, as he had important matters to discuss.
Dr. Lévi stayed for four days, engaging in extensive conversations. Impressed by Shri Vijaydharmasuri's unwavering dedication to duty, profound knowledge, and extraordinary talent, Dr. Lévi exclaimed that he had never met anyone as brilliant as Suriji in his life. Many other scholars echoed similar sentiments.
Shri Vijaydharmasuri knew his illness was terminal and predicted his passing on the morning of Bhadrava Sud 14. He entrusted all his books and possessions to the charitable Seth Laxmichandji of Agra, instructing that they be made into a public library, ensuring no single disciple had exclusive rights. Seth Laxmichandji announced the construction of a building for this library.
This collection, numbering around 20,000 volumes with approximately 10,000 manuscripts, is now housed in Agra as the "Shri Vijaydharmalaxmi Jnanamandir." Renouncing all other attachments, he settled in one place, chanting the name of 'Veer', and departed this mortal world on the dawn of the Anant Chaturdashi. Gujarat lost a true saint and a great hero. Doctors were astonished, and his disciples were plunged into grief. News of his passing spread rapidly throughout India, reaching overseas as well.
The people of Shivpuri and state officials attended his cremation. His mortal remains were reduced to ashes in a sandalwood pyre amidst chants of "Jai Jai Nanda! Jai Jai Bhadra!"
On that day, mourning ceremonies were held everywhere, and hundreds of condolences poured into Shivpuri. Newspapers across India expressed sorrow and remembered his inspiring life. Overseas countries also reported his passing, highlighting his brilliant life story.
Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia of Gwalior government dedicated land around his cremation site to the Jain Sangh of Shivpuri, where a magnificent Samadhi temple was later erected in his memory.

The extensive catalog (pages 2-28) lists numerous books in various series, including figures from Indian history, mythology, religion, and social reform, highlighting the broad scope of the "Vidyaarthi Vaanchanmala" series. The title "Shri Vijaydharmasuri" is listed in the sixth series, indicating it is part of a larger collection of inspirational biographies.