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The Muni Mabaraj has demonstrated by precept and by example that the tenets of Jainism are noble and practical. We need faith in them and the will to follow them. He has been advising all of us, as did Yoginda Swamin through his “Paramatma Prakasha", :
" T, H 76, gtata 1 quor" | "O pupil, follow religion and renounce all the greed and attachments of wealth and of youth."
12th April 1972 is a memorable day when the first meeting of Bhagawan Mahaveera 2500th Nirvana Mahotsava National Committee was held in one of the halls of the Parliament House at New Delhi. I attended the meeting as a member. It was a pleasant surprise when Acharyaratna Deshabhusban Muni Maharaj attended the meeting wbich was presided over by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Among those who addressed the meeting, the Acharya Maharaj was one. He addressed the meeting in a measured tone with dignity. While speaking about the need to spread the message of Ahimsa as propounded by the Bhagawan in a world of conflicts and of threatened wars, he also emphasised the absolute and immediate necessity of educating the public on the principles of Ahimsa, Satya and Aparigraha propounded by Lord Mahavira. The first two of these inspired Mahatma Gandhi to establish the triumph of Ahimsa as a weapon of strength even against the formidable strength of the British Government. He blessed the Prime Minister to uphold dharma in all her administrative measures.
It is strange that some newspapers commented upon the entry of a naked Saint into the Parliament House. The Saint was there on invitation and his conduct in going naked was in the highest traditions of Jainism and also consistent with rights guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. When Mahatma Gandhi entered the Royal Palace of the Queen of England with his half covered body, Churchill, the then Prime Minister of England, described him as a "naked Fakir". Gandhi replied that it was his ambition to be one and that he did not know when he would reach that stage.
Immediately after the celebration of the 2500th year of Nirvana of Bhagawan Mahavira, the Muniji achieved a great milestone by turning the tiny village where he was born into a great place of pilgrimage. In between the two villages, Kothali and Kuppanawadi, there is a hillock : In about 1977, the Muniji installed thereon three images of Bhagawan Adinath, Bahubali and Bharat and performed a great puja which was an event of great religious sanctity in this part. The place is situated between Nipani and Chikodi in the Belgaum District, and lies away from the main road by about seven miles. I could not attend the function due to my ill health and had to miss the most solemn occasion of religious significance. Thousands of devotees from all over India attended the function and witnessed the pujas. Unfortunately, the health of His Holiness has been failing but his enthusiasm for the cause of religion and the propagation of its tenets has not suffered in any manner.
Recently I had the pious pleasure of having the darsana of Muniji at Sravanabelgola when I attended the Mahamastakabhisheka on 22nd February 1981. The Muniji jocularly questioned me amidst the surging crowd: "What Tukolsahab, have you forgotten me?" I replied after bowing down that it was impossible for me to forget him. We could not talk more as the crowd eager for darsana was pushing forward.
May I end this small homage by quoting the following from the Vairagya Sataka by Bhartrhari wherein he has expressed his ambition of life, which is identical with the ambition of all :
एकाकी निस्पृहो शान्तः पाणिपात्रो दिगम्बरः ।
कदा शम्भो भविष्यामि कर्मनिमूलम क्षमः ॥ "O God, when shall I, after the destruction of all my karmas, become a naked saint, solitary, free from all desires, calm and collected and taking my food in the palm of my hand ?". His Holiness has achieved this goal of his life long ago but when shall I and people like me attain that cherished goal of human life?
आचार्यरत्न श्री देशभूषण जी महाराज अभिनन्दन ग्रन्थ
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