________________ mankind, and to encourage women education. Thus he established his name as a social reformer. An ocean of compassion, Acarya Hasti Mala, protected and saved all living beings, including poisonous snakes. He not only implemented non-violence, forgiveness, equanimity personally, but also demonstrated that the values of life like non-violence, etc preached by Lord Mahavira are fully capable of solving the existing problems in society. Acarya Hasti Mala Ji, who was an expertise in ancient language and script, was a legend during his life time itself. With untiring hard work and plenty of substantial evidences, he wrote a book named Jain Dharma Ka Maulika Itihasa' (Original History of Jain Religion), which consists of 3500 pages and is divided into four volumes. This book is an everlasting blessing to Jain religion in particular, and to the Indian society in general. In addition, he even edited and translated the Jain scriptures both in prose and poetry. He wrote poems inspired by the profound feelings of religion, culture and spirituality. He was a skilled and influential religious expounder. His inspirational religious discourses were compiled and published into a book of seven parts, by name "Gajendra Vyakhyanamala'. Acarya Hasti Mala Ji travelled to many states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, etc and observed altogether 70 rainy season halts (four month during monsoon) and initiated 85 aspirants of liberation /salvation into ascetic life. On 21 April 1991, i.e. Vikram 2049 Vaisakha (Prathama) Sukla Astami, he left his mortal body at 8:21 PM, after observing a fast unto death for 13 days and attained accession to heavenly abode. Just like his birth and life, even his final journey too became a legend. His biography was published under the title 'Namo Purisavaragandhahathinam' which consists of approximately 900 pages. Now his able disciple, Acarya Sri Hiracandraji adorns the rank of the eighth successor of Ratna Congregation. -o0o0o0o0o0o 241
