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APRIL, 1982
of the Adhyatma group. .Banarasi, in relating his story, seems to have been moved by a desire to tell them in his own words the story of what really happened and why he wanted to tell them of the inner compulsion which he had incited him in his actions, the schism in his soul, the turmoil that was driving him; and to impress upon them that inspite of all he did, he always retained a basic honesty of purpose.
177
...Indeed, Banarasi went to the length, rare in Jain religious history, of deprecating the superiority of the monks. Movements of protest and reform proclaiming a purer ideal have not been unknown to Jainism; but they have been led by monks. Adhyatma in this respect, manifested an unprecedented feature. It was initiated, propagated and sustained by householders who remained active men of affairs, vigorously engaged in commerce...
The importance of Banarasi's autobiography as a historical document is undeniably immense. But it is also a sensitive human document, and our attempt has been to translate it with this idea in mind....
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