Comtemporary Jain Legends

Author(s): Atmanandji Maharaj
Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

Page 15

earned good wealth within only four to five years. This was, evidently, the reward of their hard work and dedication. Manikchand was more religious-minded among all the four brothers. He was habituated to go to temple. In Bombay he was always going to Jain temple of Gujaratis and worshipped with dedication. He used to sit for meditation and recite the holy name. Manikchand earned a lot of wealth by 1864 A.D. in work of examining jewels and diamonds and now, he started his own business in 1869 A.D. He took the credit to be the first great in jewelry merchant in Visa Humad Digambar (i.e. without clothes) Jains. All the four brothers gave certain percentage of their income in charity and the rest to their father. Manikchand too was attached to do charitable activities. These brothers started their own business-house under the name Manikchand Panachand Zaveri in 1871 A.D. This firm became famous and prestigious in no time.
Internal andExternal Property oftheZaveri Family: The firm became very famous in Bombay and soon in India and abroad. Sheth Panachand was specialized in purchasing and Sheth Manikchand in selling pearls and diamonds. They always used to say, "Speak truth, act truthfully, We earn only by the force of truth". At the time of opening of this firm, Panachand was 22, Manikchand was 19, Motichand was 24 and Navalchand was 16. The four brothers worked with dedication. The firm made good profits. In 1876 A.D. some branches were opened in foreign countries also. They used to sell their goods to England and European countries. They sent one or two parcels of rupees fifty thousand each every week to foreign countries and this yielded twice as much profit. In foreign countries, people were beginning to wear jewellery-ornaments. They were very fond of diamonds and pearls. There was, therefore, very good trading continuously for two to three years with several foreign countries. The firm became popular and its ornaments and goods were considered to be second to none every where. With the increase of wealth the brothers became more charitable and had more simplicity, sympathy. Manikchand freely mixed with others. He used to help Jains who came to Bombay to earn their livelihood. The brothers co-operated with open heart for the uplift of Jain community in North and South India. They, therefore, became famous as great donors in a few years. In 1879 A.D., the father Hirachand was paralyzed and he died in 1881. Manikchand was extremely pained and he further became more charitable and religious minded.
Flow ofCharity: Charity is the basis of family life. A donor is always considered next to a saint and a brave person. Sheth Manikchand was kind since his childhood: he made following major donations.
He donated a big building named Jubilee Baugh, priced at two and half lacs of rupees in those days to the Jain community. The monthly income of rent of this building was rupees eleven hundred.