Charlotte Krause her Life and Literature

Author(s): Shreeprakash Pandey
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 17

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a Centre of Jaina Studies in the Institute of Indology at the university of Leipzig was conspicuous and significant one and it was the reason that she was given two years academic leave of absence in order to have a first hand knowledge on Jaina religion, Culture and Literature. For this very purpose she visited India in the year 1925. In March 1926 she decided to have a wide tour of Jaina centres and to meet various Jaina Ācāryās and scholars. She got influenced with the calmness of mind of Ācārya Vijayadharmasūrijī, Muni Mangalavijayajī and Muni Jayantavijayajī. Though she had came India only to have a first hand knowledge of Indian philosophies, Culture and Literature, but being impressed with the high spiritual ideals and way of living of some Jaina saints she changed herself into a real devotee of Jaina religion. The contribution of Dr. Charlotte Krause to Jainism henceforth is two-fold - firstly as a scholar of Jainology and secondly as a true follower of Jainism. In the biography of Dr. C. Krause Dr. Luitgard Soni has rightly observed, "She integrated her will into the life-style of the ( Jaina ) monks and nuns and travelled with them on foot from Shivapuri to Bombay. She came in direct contact with the life in India with its customs, dia-lects, various religions and sects and many Jaina communities.”
She was so overwhelmed with etherial elegance of Jainism that during her stay at Beawar, she publicly announced her decision to take the Jaina vows of non-violence, non- possession etc, till the life. She changed her name from Charlotte Krause to Subhadra Devi. Though by birth she was a German and by faith a Christian, but putting aside all her past religious inclinations she willingly adopted the life of a Jaina lay devotee ( Śrāvaka ) in a real sense.
I have had the privilege of being in close contact with this celebrated lady. She visited my native place Shajapur (M.P.) many times on her way from Shivapuri to Ujjain and Bombay. Then she was Inspectress of Schools of Gwalior state and latter on of Madhya Bhārata. I recall the first meeting with her, when she was staying in a Rest house at Shajapur. She requested to my maternal brother to