Jain Journal 1971 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 9

a savant among saints and a saint among savants :
MUNI PUNYAVIJAY JI
B. M. SINGHI
A true specimen of the Jaina monkhood and a worthy representative of the tradition and heritage of the Jaina fold, Muni Punyavijayji, who died in Bombay on June 14, 1971 was a life-long traveller in the realms of knowldege. He had an insatiable yearning for exploration of the wisdom of the past. It is absolutely true that but for his ceaseless efforts in the direction of research and scholarship, the vast treasures of knowledge would have remained locked up in the bhandāras of the Jaina temples. Initiated and inspired by Muni Caturvijayji and taught and encouraged by Pandit Sukhlalji, he devoted his whole life to bring to light hundreds of valuable manuscripts written on palm-leaves and preserved in the Jaina bhandāras of Jaisalmer, Patan, Cambay, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Limbdi, etc. At initiation, he was not a great scholar, but he soon developed under the inspiring leadership and guidance of his master Muni Caturvijayji a passion for learning and threw himself heart and soul in the direction of seeking and acquiring knowledge and learning. It was here that Pandit Sukhlalji helped him. He was indeed fortunate in having an inspiring preceptor in Muni Caturvijayji and an encouraging teacher and guide in Pandit Sukhlalji. He made the best of what he learnt and acquired from both of them and always acknowledged his gratitude and indebtedness to both. He called Muni Caturvijayji as his 'Diksā-guru' and Pandit Sukhlalji as his 'Vidyā-guru' throughout his life. He had great respect for both of them and received great affection and admiration from them.