Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary synthesizes the information presented in the provided Jain text, "Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth," focusing on its key themes, contributors, and the life and legacy of Acharya Shrimad Vijayananda Suri (also known as Atmaramji Maharaj).

Book Title: Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth Author(s): Munishri Navinchandra Vijay, Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah, Prof. Shripal Jain Publisher: Vijayanand Suri Sahitya Prakashan Foundation, Pavagadh Year of Publication: 1996

Overall Purpose and Significance:

The "Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth" (Book Commemorating the Centenary of Vijayanand Suri's Ascension to Heaven) is a commemorative volume dedicated to the life, teachings, and impact of Acharya Shrimad Vijayanand Suri (Atmaramji Maharaj) on the occasion of the centenary of his passing. The book serves as a tribute, a historical record, and a source of inspiration, highlighting his pivotal role in the modern history and resurgence of Jainism. It emphasizes his efforts in revitalizing the faith, promoting education, preserving literature, and upholding the core tenets of Jain philosophy.

Key Figures and Their Roles:

Acharya Shrimad Vijayananda Suri (Atmaramji Maharaj): Revered as the "Navayug Nirmata" (Builder of a New Era), "Mahan Jyotirdhar" (Great Luminary), and "Nyayambhonidhi" (Ocean of Justice), he is presented as a foundational figure in modern Jainism. His arrival marked a turning point in the religion's history, leading to its current grandeur, stability, development, and propagation. He is credited with changing the course of the era through his strong personality and vision.
Acharya Shrimad Vijay Vallabh Suri: The first spiritual successor of Acharya Vijayananda Suri, known as "Kalkal Kalpataru" (Wish-fulfilling tree of the Kali Yuga) and "Punjab Kesari" (Lion of Punjab). His birth centenary was celebrated in 1936, and he was instrumental in propagating the ideals of his guru.
Acharya Shrimad Vijay Samudra Suri: The second spiritual successor, known as "Rashtra Sant" (Saint of the Nation) and "Samatva Yogi" (Yogi of Equanimity). He emphasized spiritual discipline and furthered the work of his predecessors.
Acharya Shrimad Vijay Indradinna Suri: The third spiritual successor, described as "Paramar Kshatriyoddharak" (Liberator of the Parmar Kshatriyas), "Charitra Chudamani" (Crest Jewel of Conduct), and "Jain Diwakar" (Sun of Jainism). He was the primary inspiration and guide for the activities commemorating the centenary of Acharya Vijayananda Suri's passing.
Acharya Shrimad Vijay Jagachandra Suri: The guiding force behind the centenary activities, offering valuable direction and support.
Editors: Muni Navinchandra Vijay (Hindi Department), Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah (Gujarati Department), and Prof. Shripal Jain (English Department). They are credited with the painstaking effort to compile this comprehensive work.
Publisher: Shri Vijayanand Suri Sahitya Prakashan Foundation, Pavagadh, played a crucial role in bringing this monumental work to light.

Core Themes and Contributions of Acharya Vijayananda Suri:

The text highlights Acharya Vijayananda Suri as a transformative figure who breathed new life into Jainism. His contributions are multifaceted:

Revitalization of Jainism: He is credited with initiating the modern era of Jainism, influencing its current grandeur, stability, development, and widespread propagation. He is seen as an "Itihas Purush" (Man of History) who changed the course of the era.
Inspiration and Guidance: His life, work, and thought are presented as an eternal source of inspiration. He is described as a "Mahayug Purush" whose influence will continue for countless centuries.
Literary Output and Preservation: The book itself is a testament to his enduring legacy. The publication of this centenary volume is an effort to preserve his memory. The text mentions his prolific writing in Hindi during a time when the language was still developing, including his creation of devotional songs (Pujas, Stavan, Sajjhay). A significant effort was made to republish his twelve books, making his literature accessible to a wider audience by simplifying them into easy-to-understand Hindi.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges: Acharya Vijayananda Suri was a scholar who engaged with the challenges of his time.
- Foreign Scholarly Interest: His knowledge was recognized by foreign scholars like A. F. Rudolff, who praised his ability to dispel ignorance and confusion.
- Inter-faith Dialogue and Defense: He defended Jainism against false propaganda, baseless accusations, and undue opposition, acting as a "Mahabali Yoddha" (Mighty Warrior) in protecting the faith.
- Promoting Jainism Abroad: He sent Shri Veerchand Raghavji Gandhi overseas to propagate Jainism, a significant initiative for its global reach.
- Preservation of Knowledge: He inspired his disciples to undertake the crucial task of rescuing and preserving deteriorating Jain knowledge repositories.
- Adapting to Modern Times: He encouraged the establishment of schools and educational institutions, understanding the need for modern education within the Jain framework. This is evidenced by the numerous educational institutions and organizations established in his name.
Key Works Mentioned:
- Navatattva
- Samayaktvasalyoddhar
- Chikago Prashnottar (Reflecting his engagement with global religious discourse)
- Eesayi Mat Sameeksha (Christianity Review)
- Agyan Timir Bhaskar (Sun Dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance)
- Jain Mat Vriksha
- Jain Dharm ka Swaroop (Nature of Jain Dharma)
- Shri Vijayanand Suri Pad Sangrah
- Shri Vijayananda Suri: Fight for Truth (in English)
- Navayug Nirmata (written by Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri)
- Shri Vijayanandabhyudaya Mahakavyam
- Shri Vijayananda Suri: Jeevan aur Karya
- Shri Vijayananda Suri: Vachanamrut (Atma Bodh)
- Jain Tattvadarsh (in two parts)
- Jain Dharm Vishayak Prashnottar
- Tattvanirnay Prasad
Centenary Initiatives: The book details various activities undertaken for the centenary celebration, including:
- Publication of this commemorative volume.
- Founding of the "Shri Vijayanand Suri Sahitya Prakashan Foundation - Pavagadh" to publish his literature.
- Renovation of the platform of his statue at Shatrunjay-Palitana, his place of receiving the Acharya title.
- Arrival of a special train, "Shri Vijayanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Special Train," at Palitana.
- Establishment of "Shri Jain Atmanand Sabha" in Bhavnagar, which has a long history of publishing and disseminating Jain literature.
- Establishment of "Shri Atmanand Jain Mitra Mandal" (Shri Atmanand Jain Friends Group) in Vadva.
- Founding of "Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha" in Ahmedabad with objectives to promote the ideals of the Atma Vallabh Samudra Indra guru tradition, foster community development, and propagate Jain principles.
- Establishing numerous religious schools ("Dharmik Pathshalas") in villages.
- Construction of the "Vijayanand Diagnostic Center" in Ludhiana.
- Building a large "Guru Dham" temple in Lahra.
- Efforts to include his work "Upadesh Bavani" in university curricula.
- Advocacy for the issuance of a postage stamp in his name.
- Initiation of research theses and the celebration of anniversaries of temples consecrated by him.

Content Structure of the Book:

The book is structured into five sections, each with distinct titles:

Khand - 1: Gyananjali (Offering of Knowledge): Contains articles on various subjects related to Jainism, compiled in Hindi.
Khand - 2: Shraddhanjali (Tribute of Faith): Features articles expressing homage and tribute to Acharya Shrimad Vijayananda Suri Maharaj, highlighting different aspects of his life and personality. It also includes a pictorial introduction to institutions and organizations running in his name.
Khand - 3: Kavyanjali (Poetic Offerings): A collection of poems dedicated to him.
Khand - 4: Smarananjali (Remembrance): Comprises articles in Gujarati.
Khand - 5: An Humble Homage: A compilation of articles in English.

Key Takeaways:

The "Vijyanandsuri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth" is a profound compilation that not only celebrates the centenary of a great Jain Acharya but also underscores the enduring relevance of his contributions. It showcases his role as a spiritual leader, a prolific writer, a social reformer, and a visionary who adapted Jain principles to contemporary needs while remaining deeply rooted in tradition. The extensive list of institutions and activities undertaken in his name demonstrates his lasting impact and the deep reverence he commands. The multi-lingual approach of the book (Hindi, Gujarati, English) further signifies his inclusive and far-reaching influence.

This summary encapsulates the essence of the text, highlighting the reverence for Acharya Vijayananda Suri and the comprehensive efforts made to honor his memory and disseminate his teachings.