Jain Journal 1971 07

SR No.: 520023
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 44
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 6

activities of the Sangh which had been planned and projected by Paramanand Bhai were the publication of the fortnightly 'Prabudh Jain' which was started in 1931 (Its name was changed to 'Prabuddha Jivan' in 1953) and the 'Paryuşan Vyakhyān Mala' which commenced the following year, i.e., 1932. During the last 40 years, these two activities have been carried on by Paramanand Bhai with unabated zeal and dedication. In fact, these two activities became completely identified with Paramanand Bhai. Through. both these activities, he gave thought, ideas, outlook to the people within the Jaina community and also outside the Jaina-fold. Neither in editing the 'Prabuddha Jivan' nor in organising the 'Paryuṣaṇ Vyakhyān Mālā' he was parochial in any sense. His comments on current events and affairs encompassed and covered almost everything which concerned the society and the nation and he would never be narrow-minded, parochial or patriarchal. This made him the inspirer for many. For his thought and style of expression, he would be read by people throughout Gujarat, irrespective of the views and opinions they have. To the last breath of his life, he kept himself fully absorbed in carrying on the ardous (but, surely pleasant for him) duties of bringing out a fortnightly almost single-handed. He continued to be a relentless fighter against ignorance, superstition and traditionalism through these activities.
JAIN JOURNAL
The 'Paryusan Vyakhyan Mala' had become an annual event of great significance in Bombay and similar Vyakhyān Mālās had been organised in other places through the inspiration provided by Paramanand Bhai. The Vyakhyān Mālā presented a wide range of subjects relating to religious, social, literary, cultural, educational and artistic aspects of life. He was very careful in selecting the speakers. Mere scholarship would not mean very much to him. He would select speakers who had to speak from experience of life. The Vyakhyān Mālā presented a week-long fare of ideas and thought which would provoke and generate fresh thinking on the questions of life. The twin activities, namely, the 'Prabuddha Jivan' which came out after every fifteen days and the 'Paryuşan Vyakhyān Mala' which came after every twelve months had become the personality of Paramanand Bhai. The two reflected the man Paramanand Bhai was and the two make the biography which Paramanand Bhai never wrote separately.
The only book which he published after the publication of the aforesaid series of his articles on the 'Artless Religious Life of the Presentday Jainas' was his book entitled 'Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram' which is an anthology of his selected articles on society, philosophy and also his travelogues, published in 1954. The title of this book is very significant