Comtemporary Jain Legends

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

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Sushila Upanyas is considered to be a very good Upanyas among such books of those days. Even if this is only an Upanyas-i.e. a guidebook, many serious subjects of Jainism is discussed in all details therein.
His exceptional contribution in Jain Literature is his Jain Siddhanta Praveshika. Even the most difficult and serious elements and principles are explained in simple language in this book so that a little learned man can also understand it properly. This book is as good as pocked dictionary for the students studying Jainism and those who are interested to know the essence of Jainism.
The life of Panditji and the main principles of Jainism which he followed can be seen briefly from his instructions and guidelines laid hereunder:
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If you want to be a true Anuvrati (Follower of Jainism), be free from fear.
If you want to be free from fear, do not be in service of others but do your own business.
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⚫ If you want to be in discussions on religion even while being in business, you must maintain Anuvrat strictly. Then only your business will go well.
If you want to follow Anuvrat, prescribe limitations for yourself.
⚫ If you want to adopt limitations for yourself, let them come from your duties and responsibilities.
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Believe your duties as your right.
Be rightful. Do not fight or cry for your rights.
Individual Character:
Panditji was of very high character. He was not addicted with anything. He was insistent on pure and holy food and drinks. He was, therefore, many times seen as orthodox. His clothings were also very simple. Hardly anyone could know from his dress that he was a great Pandit of Jainism. He never earned money through religious rites. He was accepting only travelling expenses. He did and said whatever he felt to be true without being influenced by rich or socalled great persons. He was, therefore, repelled by many of such persons.
He was totally selfless. He always came forward to help others. These were his greatest virtues. He did religious deeds for his own satisfaction. He worked hard for the development of Jain literature, Jain Principles and Jain religion. He used to work till late up to ten or eleven at night if circumstances called for without taking much care of his health. The work of administration of Jain Schools and other institutions brought him great burden of constant activities. He was peace loving, thoughtful, patriot and sincere to his responsibilities. He liked to stay in loneliness. He collected many books, he could remember many things at a time, he was simple and kind. He loved Hindi language very much.
Important Events of His Life:
He loved his students. He insisted for truth, hard work, simplicity, broad-heartedness, honesty and character. Two important events of his life are worth to be known by us and they are given hereunder:
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