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PADMAVATHAMMA: ASCETIC MOTHER VISUDDHAMATI
(four months stay during rainy season). The excellent character and conduct of the Acarya attracted this sacred heart which was very much desirous of attaining salvation. It is due to the hotness of Dharma and coldness of goodmind, the seed of asceticism which had rooted in this heart for many years began to sprout in the same year. One day at an auspicious time this teacher of Mahilāshram, after sacrificing all the awards decided to become an "Āryikā". As a beginning of this she celebrated "Saptama Pratima Vratam" from the Acārya.
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4. Sāhu Saraṇam Pavvajjāmi
On 14th August 1964 at the famous Jain pilgrimage Papora the second Paṭṭācārya Sivasagara inducted Āryikā initiation (dikṣā) to Sumitrabai. Thereby she entered his sangha (group). The huge congregation of people who had assembled at that time greeted her and called her Visuddhamati Mātāji.
According to many people, this was the first "Dikṣā" in Bundelkhanda after a long time. This was said to be a great event and by this all its surrounding places were showered with Dharma. A fair was held in Papora for four months. Hundreds of men and women celebrated various types of Vratas depending on their capabilities.
At that time the sangha of Acarya Sivasagara was very small consisting of only four Munirājas and five Āryikās. This sangha was said to be an ideal Model of the Munisanghas all over the country. The members of the sangha always used to carry on original idol when they were on tour. Using this idol they used to perform the various religious worships in the sangha. In local places there used to be no kind of hindrance to them.
While travelling no palanquin or vehicle was used by them and they always travelled on foot as per ethical rules. The immoral practice of collecting money in the name of pilgrimage or temple construction was never there in the sangha. There was also no compulsion for the publication of Granthas. The use of Doli, Wheelchair etc. was prohibitied for any Piñchidhari Muni or Āryikā. From sunset to sunrise everbody maintained silence. Each one had a lot of devotion and respect towards the Acarya. Although Acārya Sivasagara was very strict at the same time he was very kind.
5. Ordeal time for stead-fastness and study of Śāstras
After initiation Mother Visuddhamati had to face many difficulties testing her courage. From the first day itself there was obstruction regarding her meals (after one takes dikṣā there will be a lot of restrictions while taking food). For example, if an insect falls in the lunch plate or a hair is seen in the food they have to stop taking the
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