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20. Jain Dharm Bhushan Shree Sheetalprasadji
Introduction: Even when the revolution of 1857 AD for independence was a failure, the thinkers and patriots of the country did not leave away hope for getting independence tomorrow if not today. The Indian National Congress was established in 1885 AD and the people of India raised their voice for freedom with increased vigor. In spite of this, the people were very backward. There were child-marriages, dinners after death, dowry, and denial for widow-marriages, illiteracy, blind faith and many other evils. In those days the social, economical and spiritual darkness. Maharaj Shri Sheetalprasadji was born.
Birth, Education and Training: Sheetal was born in 1879 AD at Lucknow, the capital of United Province. Lala Makhkhanalalji and his wife Narayanidevi were his parents. Not much of information about his childhood is available. He had completed his primary and secondary education and passed the matriculation examination in first grade at the age of 18. He also passed the examination of Accountantship from the Roorki Engineering College after four years and soon joined the government service. Even though Sheetal made a good progress in education, he was to be a man of quite different trend. He was not from an ordinary clay. He achieved virtues through his daily life and kept himself engaged in good thinking. This is evident from his writing appeared in Hindi Jain Gazette of May 24th 1896. He writes: O learned Jain brothers! You are the real pillars of Jainism. Preserve it, expand it, awaken it as it is in dormant condition, adopt holy and benevolent behavior by mind, body and speech. You will, thereby, improve your present life as well as lives to come.
Family Life and Fire Test: He was married to a daughter of Shri Chhedilalji, a resident of Calcutta. The girl was virtuous, always in service of her husband, beautiful but her life was very short. She died on February 13,1904 because of plague. Alongwith this, celibate Sheetal had to suffer other strokes of the death of his mother and younger brother within a month. These events increased his detachment from worldly affairs, while on the other hand several parents of high standing in society, with so much of wealth came up with the proposal of Sheetal's second marriage with their beautiful daughters. There were all sorts of temptations before this young Sheetal of 25 years of age but he faced them all with astonishing courage. He resigned from the Government service on August 19th 1905 and decided to pass his life for the service of the society and high reading.
Company of Saints and Restrained Life: In 1905 AD, he went to serve at the conference of Digambar Jain Mahasabha. He came in contact with famous charitable man Shri Manikchandra of Mumbai in the conference. Sheetal was devoted to real service to society, he was quite young, very well educated, efficient, industrious and yet very simple. He had heart-felt love for Jainism, he was detached with worldly affairs and was deeply invested with all virtues. Shri Manikchandra drew up the boy with him, took him to Mumbai and made all arrangements for his convenient stay. Sheetal worked under Sheth Shri Manikchandra for four years and gave his services to several institutions. All and everyone loved him. He had learnt virtues of studying religion andscriptures, he was free from ill habits of smoking, drinking, gambling etc. He never ate meat. He used to drink only filtered water, he studied regularly, and he was thoughtful and tolerant. He had all these virtues from his grand father Lala Mangalsenji. He took vow of life-long celibacy in 1911 AD under the consent of Elak Shri Pannalalji Maharaj at Sholapur and adopted handwoven clothes of saffron color. He was wearing only Dhoti and keeping shawl on shoulders. By and by he restricted his diet, started to do prayers and religious rites at fixed timings. He started studying
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