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Our Guide |
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Param Pujya Acharya Shri PadmaSagarsuriji |
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This heritage is collected by Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuriji from various remote
interior villages throughout India during his Vihar from North to South and East
to West. In the modern era of the Jain Acharyas, the name of Acharya Shri
Padmasagarsurishwarji Maharaj shines as a beacon light. His tremendous courage,
dynamism, frankness, devotion to duty, discipline, powerful oratory and ability
for leadership are the highlights of his life. These virtues have become
stronger with the passage of time. His life is dedicated to high ideals and
noble deeds which have proved a boon to humanity and very beneficial to the Jain
community in particular.
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Acharyashri is a source of inspiration and hope for all. His life is founded on
great ideals. He has always remained undaunted and unmoved in the face of all
obstacles and hindrances and he never lost his tranquility and peace of mind.
The historical city of Azimganj, a part of the former Murshidabad State on the
boundary of Bengal has been a witness to the birth of many great personalities
and their immortal deeds. This town is a symbol of the boundless prosperity and
deep religious belief in Jainism. There are seven spacious Jain temples here
with their huge and beautiful domes indicate how the Jains made good and
generous use of their wealth.
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Birth and Childhood |
A child was born in this town on the auspicious day of Sep 10, 1935.
He was named Premchand. He was to become a National Saint great Jain Acharya
Shri Padmasagarsurishwarji Maharaj of great fame and wide & deep learning who
attained unimaginable success beyond all expectations. Premchand's father had
expired three months before his birth. He was brought up very tenderly and
carefully by his mother Bhawani Devi. Divine shine on his face, bright eyes and
gentle nature were indicative of his making of genious. Popularly known as
Labdhichand among his friends he made up his mind to follow the ideals set by
his mother. After her husband's death Bhawani Devi learnt to face all the
challenges of the world. This, determination of mother, had a deep impression on
Labdhichand. He got accustomed to face boldly the hard realities of life and
remained unperturbed amidst all struggles that surrounded him. These virtues,
which he learnt from his mother have paved the way of his success in future.
Premchand was growing well under his mother's loving care and direction.
At the age of six, he was admitted to the Shri Raibahadur
Budhsingh Primary School. There he received his elementary education up to Std
Sixth but he was not satisfied with this academic education. However because of
his wonderful memory, excellent performance and intelligence, he was held with
high regards in his school. Full of energy and developing genius mind shaped his
journey for future greatness. His father was a powerful landlord and had good
relations with the family of Shri Nirmalkumarji Navalakha, a landlord of great
fame. Premchand's life style was influenced by the high traditions of that
respectable family. Their innate refined behavior, good manners, decorum, polite
conversation, impressive dresses and luxurious living became the conspicuous
features of Premchand's life. Azimganj was a center of the Yatis in those days.
They used to visit the homes of almost all the landlords to impart general and
religious education to their children. Yati Motichandji visited the Navalakha
family regularly. It was here that seeds of noble thoughts were sown in
Premchand's mind.
He got acquainted with the Jain history and principles of Jainism.
The innocent and pious heart of the young child was filled with religious and
spiritual thoughts. This process continued to flow unabatedly and finally the
seeds of spiritualism sown in his fertile mind sprouted in the form of his
embracing asceticism. Premchand passed initial thirteen years of his life in his
native place and then got admission into the famous Jain School of Shivpuri run
by Veer Tattwa Prakashak Mandal for further education. This historical
institution was established by the ceaseless efforts of Acharya Shri
Vijaydharmasurishwarji Maharaj (A profound scholar of Jainsm) and run under the
efficient guidance of his disciple Muniraj Shri Vidyavijayji Maharaj. Muniraj’s
guidance sharpened & developed Premchand’s intelligence profoundly during this
crucial period. Here he passed Std. Eighth. He attained many fufilments in this
short period of two years. He learnt by heart Panch Pratikraman and Jeev Vichar
Prakaran.
Deeply inspired by the powerful oratory of the Munishri, he also
learnt to give short discourses. This made him a successful orator of Jainism
and the Jain Sangh conferred on him the title of Pravachan Prabhakar. Shri
Sharat Chandra Pandya of Madhya Pradesh who later became an I.A.S. officer was
his close friend and class-fellow. This institution had the proud privilege of
educating great personalities like Jay Bhikkhu, Ratilal Deepchand Desai and Lal
Bahadur Shastri. In 1950, Premchand went to Kolkata and stayed there with a
relative. He passed the 9th and 10th class examinations from Vishudhanand
Saraswati Higher Secondary School in Kolkata. In the last days of 1952,
Premchand came back to Azimganj. He was highly influenced by the teachings of
Swami Vivekanand. Then he set out on a long journey to the historical and
religious cities of Pondicherry, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Delhi,
Agra, Kota, Gwalior etc. He very attentively observed all the religious and
spiritual activities carried out in these cities.
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In search of a life-architect: |
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During his tours, he came to Ahmedabad on his way to Palitana. Here
he stayed with an old friend who was his class-fellow at Shivpuri. Thereafter,
he went on a pilgrimage to Palitana with this friend. This pilgrimage proved to
be a great blessing to young Premchand. After coming back to Ahmedabad, he
visited Sanand to have the darshan of the Great Visionary, Great Saint, The Most
Venerable Shashan Prabhavak, Ajatshatru, Gachchhadhipati Acharyadev Shri
Kailasasagarsuriji Maharaj. This was a golden period of his life. Here, he got
the right answers to all his doubts. Acharyashri's divine words sowed the seeds
of asceticism in his mind. He experienced the call of Agam. This close
association with Acharyashri and his loving guidance was a turning point in his
life. He now prepared himself to follow the path shown by The Veetaraag
Parmatma.His association with the Acharyashri was a very important achievement
of his life. In the heart of his heart, he was determined to embrace deeksha
from Acharyashri. Thereafter, he returned to Ahmedabad. His search for the
architect of his life was now over. |
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Premchand leaves home: |
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Path of Veetrag can be scaled only by the braves. His Bengali
adventurous origin further inspired him to accept this path of immortality. The
inspiring words of the Acharyashri were echoing in his ears. For persons of
materialistic world, the path of self-restraint is full of thorns. For the
Sadhakas, these thorns are like flowers. None can achieve this aim without
facing difficulties and those who face these challenges are destined to become
Siddhas. After taking leave of his friend, Premchand left for home. The journey
began. His eyes were appreciating the nature from the lonely corner of his
railway compartment. However, his thought proecess, self-introspection started.
"What is the real meaning and aim of this life?" After three days of continuous
journey, Premchand reached home but he was always lost within himself. After
fulfilling all his essential obligations he expressed his desire to ordain
deeksha before one of his closest friend. One fine morning, he bowed to his
mother and left home. He had only a few coins in his pocket however he was
enriched with full faith on the path of Jina/ Sanyam and was sure that will
spread fragrance of kind. |
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