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Shree Atmaramji and his Mission
Preparations Swami Atmaramji Maharaj also had to prepare himself for his mission. There were no Jain Asharams or Gurukuls, in those days, nor was any seat of learning available to him like the modern Tagore's Ashram or Hindu University where every seeker after knowledge could knock at and be welcomed in. The Jain libraries were a hidden treasure in underground cellars. The Vedic Sanskrit vidyalyas of Muttra and Kashi did exist where several great Sanskrit scholars lived. But they had not learnt tolerance. They taught only those who agreed with them in their view. Swamiji could not therefore think of going there for study. He had tə go about from place to place in search of learned Jain Sadhus. Sone of them were quite unwilling to impart knowledge, lest they should lose Prestige and respect which they enjoyed. Another difficulty was that they did not stay at one place. However his earnest thirst for knowledge, untiring zeal and self-sacrifice overcame all difficulties and with.n seven years he was a Scholar of Sanskrit, Prakrit and scriptures.
His Mission It is after gaining profound knowledge of scriptures and after obtaining first-hand information of the condition of the Jain community of his time that he started on his mission of deep reverence for life and high value of human soul irrespective of colour and creed, power and pelf, sex and situation. He had realized that true Jainism was not as practised and shown in the actual life of Srawakas and Sadhus of his time, but it was far nobler and purer. He found in ancient scriptures which he now could read himself that Jainism was Universal religion, eternal in fundamental principles, overriding all political and racial differences and not confined even within the limits raised by religious institutions. It is intended to raise not only human race but it inculcates equal love and regard for all beings, however low they may be, and affords facilities for all to improve and progress by self exertion and indomitable will, fearless of any higher power or external force to stand in his way of ascent. Whatever could check him was the Karma, the result of his own doing, which he has power to undo. The word 'iinpossible'
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[ Shree Atmaramji
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