Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

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The Jains through Time
intense thirst for knowledge. He had a sharp intellect and a powerful reasoning ability. He was 'inquisitiveness incarnate'. His instructors were amazed and his gurus delighted by his receptivity. Gurudev's poetic talent reflected not only his great learning but also his inborn wizardry with words. His voice was sonorous and his oratory brilliant. As he gained in stature, Gurudev Amar Muniji naturally became the focus of attention for the entire Jain community.
The patriotic wave of freedom-fighting that swept the country touched Amar Muniji too. He began to write songs and poems about nationalism and independence. These revolutionary verses became so popular that the Maharaja of Patiala, under pressure from the British Government, tried to ban them but this created such a furore that they had to give in. Gradually Muni Shriji's poetry, filled with devotion and love, inspired the entire Jain community and people began to affectionately address him as Kaviji (the poet).
Upadhyaya Shriji was like the ancient sages and the holy fakirs; like them he led a contented and solitary life of detachment from all things. In unfavourable situations he remained steady like an insurmountable wall, but to the common man he was a messiah of compassion. He was a self-made man; his character was honed by constant learning and experience. He often used to quote an ancient verse: yadi pathi vipathē kā yad vrajāmaḥ sa panthah-'the traveller on the path of truth creates his path himself'. The routes to realisation are not readymade; they need to be laid out and he who has this knowledge opens up a new track wherever he treads. Following in his footsteps makes even the roughest road smooth.