________________
2
blindness while speaking at the function held in June 1957 at Bombay under the presidentship of late Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the then Vice-President of India, to offer felicitations to Panditji.. He had said that if Sukhlalji had not lost his eyes, when he was only sixteen years old, he would not have become a Rși which today he is; he would have perhaps remained a businessman only. It was an act of destiny that he lost his eyes at that age. This loss proved a boon for him; it became a turning point in his life.
JAIN JOURNAL
Panditji was born on December 8, 1880 in a small village named Limli in Gujarat. His father was a small trader. His mother had died when he was only four years old, but the love and affection he received from his step-mother was unique. When he was only fourteen years old, the step-mother also died. At that time, Panditji was being grooved to be a good businessman. He had to give up studies while he was in class seven only and had to take over business at the shop. His marriageengagement had also been fixed by this time and he would have married at the age of fifteen, had it not been firstly, for some difficulties in the family of the would-be bride and secondly, for a virulent attack of smallpox which Panditji had when he was sixteen years old. This attack ended in total blindness for Panditji. Naturally then there was no question of marriage and no question of running a shop. Panditji had darkness all around, but soon thereafter destiny opened for him the doors to a new light a rare light. The Upanishad's 'tamaso mā jyotirgamayo' became the beaconlight in Panditji's life. Panditji had a long journey from darkness to light and it brought him success and elevation of the highest order. There were great difficulties and obstacles in his way, but Panditji with his unflinching determination fought them all singlehanded. He travelled far and wide in the quest of higher learning in Sanskrit. His arduous journeys to Banares, Mithila and Agra greatly benefited him and ultimately he fulfilled all his desires and aspirations. The inner light he had gained and developed, guided him in all his pursuits. No fear or temptation could deviate him from his Sadhanā —his Darŝan and Cintan.
He became not only a versatile scholar. but also a true Sanyasi. Our great philosopher, Dr. Radhakrishnan, while eulogising the attainments of Panditji said about twenty years back that only persons like Pandit Sukhlalji, who had led a life of self-realisation, self-dedication, and self-renunciation, could be called a Sanyasi. Panditji was a true Sanyasi in this sense. He had been deeply influenced by the teachings of Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi on non-attachment and non-violence.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
