Jagatguru Heervijayji Diwakar Chitrakatha 021

Author(s): Rajyashsuri, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Mahavir Seva Trust Mumbai

Page 2

JAGAT GURU SHRI HEER VIJAY SURI
In this world there are some towering personalities who are not only the prominent characters in history but also the makers of the history. In the sixteenth century of the Vikram era, Jain Acharya Shri Heer Vijaya Suri was one such person who left lasting imprints not only on the Jain history but also on the history of the subcontinent. He played a major role in shaping Indian history of his times.
The sixteenth century of the Vikram era was a period of turmoil in Indian history. The Moghul emperor, Akbar the great, was ruling almost all of the great subcontinent with his unprecedented valor, diplomatic skill, religious tolerance, love for justice and appreciation of intellectual accomplishments.
Akbar respected scholars and sages. His reverence for Jagat Guru Shri Heer Vijaya Suri reached a stage that people started commenting-Akbar has changed his religion from Islam to Jainism.
Shri Heer Vijaya Suri had an extremely attractive and dominating personality. He had a unique magnetism. His speech had acquired astounding power due to its inherent sweetness and gravity backed by unparalleled scholarship. He followed the Jain doctrine of non-absolutism and became a great assimilator of ideas. Religious tolerance was natural to him. But at the same time he was steadfast in his own religious belief and was a strict and sincere follower of ascetic conduct. A devotee like Akbar repeatedly offered his services, "Guruji! What can I do for you?" His standard reply was, "Do good to others, offer amnesty to beings, remove the miseries of the masses, that is what you can do for me." This extreme detachment had impressed the emperor very much. Suriji had very close contact with Akbar for about more than three years. After this his prominent scholarly disciples Vijayasen Suri, Bhanuchandra Upadhyaya, Shantichandra Upadhyaya, etc. remained in contact with Akbar. They accompanied him in his journeys to Kashmir and Lahore and continued to inspire him towards ahimsa, public service, and animal welfare.
It was this proximity with the Jain acharyas that inspired Akbar, a descendent of cruel Babar, to promulgate ordinances banning animal slaughter for specific periods throughout the country. He himself refrained from hunting and eating meat for six months in a year. These were the reasons that Akbar became famous as ahimsa lover and benevolent ruler.
- Shrichand Surana 'Saras'
Written by: Acharyadev Shri Rajayash Surishvar ji M.
Managing Editors: Dr. Mansukhbhai Jain, Sonjay Surana
Compilation: Srichand Surana 'Saras'
English Translation: Surendra Bothara
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