Acharya Shantisagar Janma Shatabdi Mahotsav Smruti Granth

SR No.: 012022
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jinwani Jirnoddharak Sanstha Faltan
Publisher: Jinwani Jirnoddharak Sanstha Faltan
Total Pages: 566
Language: Hindi, English, Marathi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

Page 117

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आ. शांतिसागरजी जन्मशताब्दि स्मृतिग्रंथ
with his disciples on his way to the Mahamastakabhisheka at Sravanabelgola. As I was a young student then, I merely fell at his feet and heard his discourse in the local Jain temple.
His most momentous impact on my mind was in 1926 or so when I was studying in the Willingdon College and staying in the R. D. Jain Boarding House at Sangli. It was perhaps a Sunday. All students had collected to hear the discourse of Shantisagar Maharaj who was spending his Chaturmas at Sangli. Numerous ladies and gentlemen from the town had gathered on that occasion. One of the senior students put some questions and Shantisagar Maharaj was quietly and affectionately, as was usual with him explaining the points. The student could not either understand or was not convinced. So he persisted in getting further clarification. Another saint who was sitting by the side of Shantisagar Maharaj got angry; for, he must have felt that the student was either disrespectful or rude. He used some harsh language towards the student and asked him to sit down. The student was quite impulsive and questioned the authority of the other saint. This evoked angry remonstrations from some influencial members of the audience; they demanded the expulsion of the student. Shantisagar Maharaj advised everybody to cool down and nothing else happened that day.
The next morning at 10 a. m. or so, we received the news that Shantisagar Maharaj had undertaken a fast for two days. It was obviously to atone for the conduct of others. I felt very sad then, but further deliberation chastened me. What a great penance it is to fast for the conduct of others ? The whole event is still fresh in my mind and its profound effect on me is as firm as it was then.
I wondered then and wonder even now what unimaginable heights the purity of his soul must have scaled. His was a generous heart that knew no anger or ill-will towards anybody. It was one of gracious pardon for all and of self-immolation to oneself. This deepened my reverence for the Maharaj. This event has been for me a tangible illustration of the axiom, To err is human, to forgive is devine.' To a youth of my mental make-up, it was the noblest lesson on purification of minds and hearts of others. How true it is that example is better than precept.