Comtemporary Jain Legends

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

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of which 50 lacs of copies are already sold out. It was translated into Sanskrit, English, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannad and other languages. This showed its popularity among the people. This poetry was a crest in the achievements of Panditji's life. "Meri Bhavna" and Yug Veerji were considered as two sides of one coin in Jain community. This poetry was read daily in thousands of Jain families. It was frequently sung in-group prayers also. In his poetry, Panditji's feelings for selfdevelopment, social and national awareness was clearly seen. There are 11 poems in Meri Bhavna and it summarizes the best books of Jainism as if a whole sea is filled up in a small water-pot. This was a literary gem in view of arrangements of words and phrases as well as the meaning held by these words.
Historical Literary Ordeal: Pandit Jugalkishorji established on April 21, 1929 the Samant Bhadra Ashram in Delhi and after one year it was shifted to Sarsava. Here the Ashram was named as Veer Seva. Thus, the birthplace of Pandit Jugalkishore itself became the place of his spiritual practices. If we briefly think over the life-long literary practices of Pandit Jugalkishorji, we can reasonably say that he was a literary stalwart of very high caliber, he was outstanding essayist, accredited critic, great historical and dedicated journalist. His performance was multi-faced and splendid. In Jain community PatraKesri and Vidyanand Swami were considered to be one and the same person but Pandit Jugalkishorji Mukhtar clearly said on the basis of his research that Patrakesri had been much before Swamy Vidyanand and also Akalank. In the same way he said with several evidences that the poet-king Shri Rajmallaji was the writer of creator of the great book PanchaDhyayi.
The historical facts about Acharya Swamy Samant Bhadra were in darkness but Mukhtar Saheb prepared an authentic history of facts on this issue by hard labor for more then two years and many learned personalities have strongly praised this work. Thus, the credit of bringing the complete history and bio-data of Acharya Swami Samant Bhadra to light goes invariably to Pandit Jugalkishorji Mukhtar.
There are many Jain books, which are referred to here and there, but they are not available. Panditji prepared a list of such books. He had declared a prize also to search out these books and some of these books could be secured also. Panditji wrote "Vivah Kheshtre Prakash" in support of inter-caste marriages and "Jina Pooja Adhikar Mimansa" to support the eligibility of perform DassaPooja (religious rite). He was boycotted from his caste for writing these books but this did not actually come into effect. Panditji had gone to Jain Siddhanta Bhavan at Aara to study Dhavla and Jay Dhavla. He worked hard for three and a half months and prepared a note of 1000 pages and it includes the summary of both these books. There were many disputes and complications about the time of Lord Mahavir. Panditji made deep study of connected matters and presented a composition, which was accepted by all. The research on the date of Veer Shasan Jayanti-date of first preaching-lecture of Lord Mahavir-can is considered to be the most important task done by Panditji. This date is celebrated on the first day of dark half of the month of Shravan every year.
Personality and Achievements: Acharya Shri Jugalkishorji Mukhtar "YugVeer" had the personality of a spiritual practitioner, a dedicated devotee and a self-studied mendicant. His personality was overflowing with self-confidence and courage. He has always maintained faith in scriptures, he was always open to be questioned
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