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(286) in the Digambar Jain tradition in which indeed. But Vidyāsagar bore it without all the earthly possessions are to be any sign of pain, rather he smiled through given up, even the lastshreds of clothes. the whole process with poise. Hereafter Thus the recluse or Muni is left with no
his Guru Revered Acārya, Jrānasāgar possessions what so ever, except his
named him as 'Vidyāsāgar. sādhanā, spiritual practice and love to
Vidyāsagara travelled extensively from Arihant.
village to towns, cities and important In 1966 Vidyādbar left home for Jaipur
places of pilgrimage, spreading the diwhere Acārya Desbhoo sana was
vine message of Tirtham kara camping with his munis. Vidhyādhara
Mahāvira, through sermons and served the munis and did the Acharya's
speeches. His is the sacred message of bidding perfectly well. His chuice to
love, tolerance and non-violence - embrace an ascetic life became more
ahimsā, which binds mankind in the resolute hereafter. When his family dis
universal bonds of fraternity. suaded him, he did not relent. His con
Vidyāsāgara is an outstanding saint, viction remained unshakable. He said
poet and thinker and at the same time be to his brother Mahāveera, “ In this
is drenched in spiritual sādhanā. He birthy I'll wed liberation". Ultimately,
was further honoured to become an when Vidyadhara advanced on this path, histwo younger brothers followed Ācārya on 22nd November, 1972 to
give spiritual direction to humanity suit. They become Muni Yogasāgara and Samayas āgara. His mother became stranded in worldliness. Ācārya Āryikā Samaymati and his sisters
Vidyāsāgara's spiritual and literary ge
nius has given to society and mankind Brahmacarin i Pravacanamati and
at large rare books of scholarly wisdom, Niyammati. The whole family em
couched in a language that even the lay braced asceticism.
and common reader can understand with Vidyādhar's passion for learning and
ease. Ācārya Vidyāsāgar is a linguist, spiritual sādhan ā inspired his Ācārya
versatile in Hindi, Sanskrit, Marāthi, 10 accept him to the order of a
Bengāli, English and other Indian lanBrahmacāri - the celibate pupil and
guages. Some of his notable publicateach him systematically. Ācārya was tions are as follows: convinced of the spiritual dedication
1. Narabadā Ka naram kankar and zealof Vidyadhara, aptly expressed
(The soft pebble of Narabadā) in his self-restraint and self-denial. On
2. Dūbo mata lagao Dubki 30th June, 1968 he ceremoniously ini
(Don't be drowned but Dip-dive) tiated him as a recluse or Muni, when he cast off all raiments for the rest of
3. Tota Kyon Rotā? life. During the initiation ceremony a
(Why does the parrot cry?) tuft of hair on head and beard are to be 4. Mooka Māti - "Mute-Mud” is the pulled out and cast aside. This is known
crowning glory - his philosophic poas Kesa Lust can. This is very painful
etry.