________________ thoughts to rest by our knowledge-meditation, we will be able to experience our internal light which is powerful and also peaceful in this condition of absolute detachment-absolute Inertia. He was an idol of peace, love and renunciation. He was a sea of discipline and good behavior. His eyes were always overflowing with the feelings of love. He always spoke which was absolutely necessary in the interest of the hearing persons. He always maintained peace of mind. He was never angry with anyone. He loved to live in loneliness. He believed that it is necessary for achieving salvation. He used to cover his body with a small cloth. He took food only to keep his body active in necessary activities. One could get peace of mind only by seeing him. Many doubts were cleared of by discussion with him and by living with him. His heart was the abode of internal peace, love and attachment. He was not a leader of only Jain community but the whole mankind. Indian culture, literary world, humanity and especially the religion of Jainism will remain obliged of him forever. Last Days: Shri Varniji Maharaj had stopped his writing activities and avoidable movements. He had decided for meditation-death (Samadhi Maran) and with this decision, he reached Nainagiri in November 1982 to be with respected Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj. Varniji prayed him saying, "Oh, Sir, all the deeds of my life have been completed. Only the last great deed of Sannllekhana now remains-i.e. fast unto death. Kindly give me your shelter so that my Sannllekhana can be fulfilled at your feet". Acharya did not consent immediately but asked him to go to Isri, i.e. SametShikhar. Here he adopted the final holy vow of Sannllekhana on April 12, 1983 at the feet of Acharya Shri Vidya Sagarji and stopped taking food till the end of life. In the beginning, he was accepting a little of liquids to drink but from April 15, 1983 he stopped taking ghee or milk and took only vegetable-soup and water. This was reduced by and by finally stopped accepting even water from April 18, 1983. He used to observe total fasts in between. From May 23, 1983, he declined even water. An absolute devotee of Jainism used to hear scriptures from Acharya Shree and exchanged thoughts also. The mendicants and renunciates of the Sangh though he was physically weak, his internal awakening continued. He was awakened at every moment and did not miss to perform daily rites even in his last days. It was 24 May of 1983. Acharya Shree had already taken his meals. At this time, Varniji called a mendicant and asked him to inform Maharaj Shree that he was now losing his awareness. Acharya Shree soon came by his side. Varniji expressed respects to him by folding his hands three times. Acharya Shree asked him to speak Namaskar Mantra and Varniji spoke "Oom" twice. When he was to speak "Oom" for the third time his head turned down to the feet of Acharya Shree. Shri Jinendra Varni thus, passed away at 11-00 hours forenoon on May 24, 1983 quite peacefully. He had adopted Samadhi Maran-death in meditation and this reveals his faith in Jainism. His renunciation, his penance, his detachment with worldly affairs and finally his intuitive greatness leads as to realize the purpose of our life. 183
