Jain Journal 1972 07

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

Page 14

JULY, 1972
For these his formula was 'tu terā sambhāl-Mind thy Self'. Sahajananda's appeal is universal. One who minds his own Self realises his Self.
It is normal for the Jaina monks to have traditional names as given by the Acarya at the time of initiation. But Sri Sahajananda discarded the name Bhadra Muni and assumed the name of Sahajanandaghana. This is because of his non-secterian views and outlook. He belonged to no sect but to his own Self which was absolute natural joy.
The Srimad Rajchandra Ashram, of which Sri Sahajananda was the founder, came into existence after 1961 on a plot of land which came as a gift from Acarya Sri Tolappacarya of the Ramanuja sect and another such gift on Ratnakoot, Hampi, by the Government of Myso through the good offices of Sri R. M. Patil, the then Home Minister of the State. Then followed generous donations from innumerable philanthropists. The Ashram is situated on a beautiful hill facing the Tungabhadra and is connected with a motorable road with the main Hampi Road. The Ashram at this moment consists of a 'Gupha Mandir' (cave temple), several renovated caves, a bhakti hall, common resting and waiting halls, ladies' hall, dining hall, a cows' shelter (gośālā) and about a dozen buildings erected by the devotees and given over to the Ashram.
On the site of the samādhi of the great monk, a 'Guru Mandir' is under construction. This will have an image of the great monk installed on the ground floor, and another of Srimad Rajchandra on the first floor. A Dadabari dedicated to the celebrated Jaina monk Yugapradhan Sri Jinadatta Suri is also under construction in the neighbourhood. The Ashram has a plan for setting up a publications centre and a girls' school, a Jaina temple and single guest rooms. In these, after the passing away of the great monk, the source of inspiration and guide is the holy Mataji, who had participated in great spiritual exercises with the monk and is well advanced on the spiritual path, is at this moment the Head of the Ashram.