Comtemporary Jain Legends

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

Page 20

02. Tapodhan Shrimad Rajendrasuri
Birth: Rajasthan is known for brave warriors. It also produced several saints. We can see many monuments of Jainism and Indian civilization in Jaipur, Jesalmer, Ajmer, Pushkar Ranakpur, AbuDelwada, Mahavirji, Kotah, Padmapura, Chittore, Kesariyaji, Shreenathji, Nakoda etc. There is a famous town Bharatpur, where once great warriors and prominent persons lived. RatnaRaj was born to the couple Hrushabhdas Parakh and Kesribai on December 3, 1827. The couple had an elder son Manikchand and younger daughter Premabai.
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Childhood and Trade: The child Ratna Raj had very high latency right from his birth. He respected his parents and elders deeply, his nature was peaceful, he kept himself away from quarrels and disturbances. He used to be with saints and teachers. At the age of twelve he went on pilgrimage to Kesariyaji and other places with his elder brother. He was more interested in religious study than ordinary learning of schools. He went to Sri Lanka at the age of 16 with his elder brother for business purposes. He went round Calcutta and other cities also while returning home. After the death of his parents, he tended to be detached from worldly affairs. He got more time for religious rites, study and meditation. He became more and more religious minded day by day.
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Detachment and Yati-Dixa: In 1854 AD Shri Pramodsooriji happened to be in the town with his disciples. RatnaRaj thought to take Dixa-initiation. He expressed his desire to his elder brother and finally took Dixa in 1847 AD at the hands of Shri Hem Vijayaji. RatnaRaj was now named Ratna Vijayaji. He passed his first monsoon in Akola and second in Indore. He was keen to study further. So, in the next three rainy seasons, he studied grammar, logic, poetry, and literary skills in the company of Shri Sagarchandraji. He was awarded the status of Panyas in 1852 AD. He went on studying fhrther in the next four monsoons by himself and took the help of Shri Devendra Sooriji. He was now well equipped with extensive knowledge in religion. Hence, with the consent of his teacher, he taught religion to the disciples of Shri Dharanendra Soori from 1857 to 1862 AD living in the service of his Dixa-Guru Shri Pramodsooriji. He took part in the felicitations of Shri DharanendraVijayaji by the kings of Bikaner and Jodhpur 1864 AD where he was himself awarded the title 'Daftari'. In the rainy season of 1865-66 he relinquished the title of 'Daftari'. In conflicts with Shri DharanendraVijayaji about the laxity in behavior and norms of detachment for Yatis and Dixits (those who have been Yati and Dixit) and other problems did not end during this monsoon seasons spent at Jhalore and Ghanerav, he decided to leave them. In 1867 AD, he was awarded the traditional Soori Mantra-a ritual and also a title of Shri Poojya at Ahor by Dixa-Guru Shri PramodSoori. He, then, left this place for Javara and during his stay for the rainy season there, he compromised with the Nawab and his ministers on certain issues.
Total Revision of the Practice of Yati and Ordinance: During the four months of rainy season in 1867 AD, Yati Shri Dharanendra Soori sent two Yatis, Siddhakushal and Motivijay to Shri Poojya Rajendra Sooriji. They discussed the issues in details. Shri Poojya Rajendra Sooriji decided to expose the blind faith in the traditional Yati-system, undeserving ways to impress upon the ignorant and simple people and the hidden lapses in various practices of Jainism. He made out a nine-point revision proposal, which was accepted and signed by Shri DharanendraVijayaji with the consent of all other Yatis. When this was completed, it was declared to the people. At this time Shri Poojya Rajendra Sooriji also relinquished all the titles, presents, chhadi, chamar Palkhi etc. (all these are religious symbols) in the temple of Shri Suparshvanath Bhagwan.