Comtemporary Jain Legends

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

Page 83

on right side within six months of the golden Jubilee celebrations of his adopting Dixa. There was a large abscess also on the lower part of his backside. In spite of all these pains in his body, he talked with everybody, begged for pardon of his deeds and misdeeds and then left the mortal body very peacefully. His cremation and death rites were done befitting his personality. Deep mourning was observed through out the state and "Shree Jawahar Vidyapith" was established to suit his life-long activities.
Special Features of Acharya Shri Jawaharji:
He had tendency of detachment right from his childhood. He did not stop only at prevailing fixed rites and performances but gave special attention to achieve knowledge from all sides. He was very active, a great reformist and invested with the fervor of patriotism. Keeping himself within his limitations, he always contributed for the development of the society as a whole and not merely Jain community, even though he did give much attention to unite and consolidate the Jain community. In addition to many saints and religious personalities, several prominent persons and leaders of the nation came to see him, hear him and talk with him. Some important of them were as under:
Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak Shri Pattabhi Sitaramaiah Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviaji Sando Prof. Ramamurti Senapati Bapat Shri RamNaresh Tripathi Kaka Saheb Kalelkar Shri Thakkar Bapa Saint Vinoba Bhave Rulers of Saurashtra and Rajasthan from places. Sir Manubhai Mehta
in 1937 at Rajkot In 1937 at Rajkot In 1916 at Ahmednagar In 1937 at Porbandar In 1928 at Bikaner In 1916 at Ahmednagar In 1915 at Parner In 1931 at Bikaner Not known Not known Not known
various
In 1928 at Bhinasar
He had no strict habits; he favored and worked for social reforms. He had broad outlook in dealing with religious and social problems. In his days learning was much less in Indian society in all sections and also in Jain community. There was child marriage as also advanced-age marriages. Dowry was wide spread. Condition of women, especially of widows was pitiable. Gambling, wine-drinking, meat-eating, tobacco chewing and smoking, use of narcotic substances, other addictions and adultery were common in all corners of society. Untouchability was a dark spot of Hinduism. Religion rivalry was prevailing between the followers of various religions of Aryans. There were educational, moral and national problems of the time. Acharya Shri Jawaharlalji has made praiseworthy contribution in bringing out reforms in these directions.