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Chaitandas
path marked out by them as suitable under the circumstances but leading to the Final Goal, the Eternal Truth.
It will be 100 years on Chaitra sudi 1 of 1992 (April, 1936) when one of such Mahatmas, Shri Atmaramji Maharaj ( Shri Jain Acharya. 1008 Shrimad Vijayanand Suri) was born and therefore arrangements are being made on a large scale to celebrate this event of the Great Mahatma in gratitude of the good he did to humanity and the bene fits he conferred on Jain community by bringing to light the hidden treasures of Jain literature and laying strong and deep foundation of reforms, promulgation of Jainism far and wide.
Though by birth a non-Jain being the son of a Kapur Khatri soldier of high position in the service of Maharaj Ranjit Singh, but from his childhood he lived in the company of Lala Jodhamal Oswal Jain, his neighbour and had thas an opportunity of gaining first-hand knowledge of the principles of Jainism from Jain Sadhus by way of oral instructions. He was a brave swimmer and in his childhood saved the life of a moslem woman and her child when they were in danger of being drowned in a river. He was very social and playful and led the boys of the village in sports and games.
Gradually a change came over him. The teaching of Sadhus so affected him that he made up his mind to renounce the world at an early age of 17 only on Magh Panchami of Sambat 19:0 (1854 A. D.). When this was known to his mother, she was sad and tried to dissuade him from his intention. Lal Jodha Sha also pointed out how difficult and troublesome was the life of a Jain sadhu, but their efforts were in vain. He was resolate, firm and strong in his convictions, that he could serve himself and the humanity better as a sadhu than a citizen. His ancestors had helped the Punjab against oppression and bloodshed by a steel sword. He would dispel superstition and evil custom by takingup non-violent arms of Universal love and peace and happiness.
A great man spends some years in preparing himself for his great mission. Even Lord Mahavira did not preach, till he had attained. perfect knowledge of the Universe.
Shatabdi Granth ]
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