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UP-PRAVARTAK SHRI AMAR MUNI JI M.
THE PIONEER OF THE ILLUSTRATED AGAM SERIES Scholarly Shri Amar Muni ji M. is a disciple of Uttar Bharatiya Pravartak Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M., who in turn is a disciple of Shri Hemchand ji M. who was a disciple of the renowned scholar of Jain Agams and the first Acharya of Shri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain 4 Shraman Sangh, Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M. A great linguist having command over Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsh, and many other Indian languages, Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M. was a 4
walking compendium of Jain canons. He wrote detailed commentaries in Hindi on about fifteen 45 4 Agams besides many other important books.
Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M. has been a confidante as well as a favourite grand disciple 5 of Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M. Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M. served and attended to all
needs of his guru, Shri Hemchand ji M., and grand-guru Acharya Shri Atmaram ji M. as long as they lived.
Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M. was born in Haryana in 1974 V. He got initiated as an ascetic in 1991 V.
Shri Amar Muni ji M. was born in the year 1936 A.D. in a Malhotra family of Queta (Baluchistan). After the partition of India his parents migrated to Ludhiana. Here he came in close contact with Jain ascetics and got inspired to become an ascetic. At the age of 15 years he became a disciple of Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji M. He took diksha (initiation as Jain ascetic) at 5 Sonipat on the 5th day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapad (Bhadava) in the year 2008 V.
Shri Amar Muni ji M. acquired profound knowledge of Jain Agams and other related subjects 4 besides mastering languages like Sanskrit and Prakrit. He is a born poet with a melodious and 4
resonant voice. He soon became famous in the Jain society as a great scholar, eloquent poet, spell4 binding orator, and a melodious singer.
Moving around with his guru, he initially devoted himself to the task of inspiring people to create various socio-religious facilities like Sthanaks (places of stay or Jain ascetics), 4 Dharmashalas (places of stay for the laity), schools, hospitals, etc. in the states of Punjab and 4 Haryana. Later he changed his direction towards the field of literary creativity. First of all he re41 edited the commentaries on Sutrakritang Sutra (two volumes), Prashnavyakaran Sutra (two 41 volumes), and Bhagawati Sutra (Five volumes) and got them published. Later he also successfully i concluded the task of editing voluminous works of critical commentary by Acharya Shri Atmaram
ji M. like Jain Yoga : A study, and Jain Tatva Kalika. His own lectures have also been compiled and published under the title Amar-deep (Parts 1 and 2).
For almost ten years now he has been taking keen interest in publication of illustrated editions of Jain Agams. Although this is a highly capital intensive work, his wide social influence and contact and great devotion for canons has inspired the devotees to offer liberal contribution and assistance. Under this scheme the publication of original text with Hindi and English
translations along with multicolour illustrations of important incidents or topics was started. 15 The Agams published till date are Uttaradhvavan Sutra, Antakriddasha Sutra, Kalpa Sutra, 15
Jnata Sutra (in two parts), Dashavaikalik Sutra, and Nandi Sutra have been published. These 45 45 illustrated Agams are in great demand in India as well as abroad. Even those who were afraid of 4 45 studying the same. Shri Amar Muniji M. earnestly wishes to gradually publish all the Agams with 4
Hindi-English translations and illustrations. I sincerely hope and wish that may the protective 45 gods of the Jain order make his devotion for and pursuit of canonical knowledge Shruti successful. 45
Tarun Muni a devout disciple) 1 PADAM IRAKASHAN, DELHI
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