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Last Practices in Meditation:
Varniji was not able to move freely in these days because of his old age of about 87 years. He could not observe several vows. He, therefore, decided in his mind to begin with Sallekhana Vrata (fast unto death) but to avoid rush of people for his seeing, he did not declare his decision. But he arranged his daily life in line with this decision. He stopped speaking and moving much and reduced his eating almost to nil. He was performing rites of Sannllekhana and its regulation as per the guidance of Pandit Bansidharji. Varniji kept laid down on his bed almost for the whole day in deep thinking and total peace of mind. He was hearing Barah-bhavna, Chhah-dhala, Bhaktamar-stotra, and Samaysar Kalash-all religious hymns and stanzas very carefully. He sank into deep thinking at times.
On September 1, 1961, he stopped taking even fruit-juice and on September 5, 1991 he left even water and all the clothes, thereby adopting complete Digambar condition-i.e. naked position-as was at the time of his birth. He was named as Shree 108 Muni Shri Ganeshkirti Maharaj at the time of his Sallekhana. During the last 18 hours, he remained away from all touches, desires and attachments. Even though there were various irregularities and pains in his body, which was extremely weak, the internal awareness of Varniji was very good. He left his body on the 11th day that is on September 5, 1961 at 1-20 hour's night quite peacefully.
Hearing the news of Varniji's demise, thousands of people poured into the Ashram at Isari and Varniji was cremated in the premises of this Ashram itself. Many meetings at various places were held to pay respect to this holy saint and many people spoke of Varniji. Many newspapers published special issues to pay homage to Varniji. A marble-memorial was also established at the place of cremation at Udasin-ashram Isari.
With the demise of Varniji, the Jain community and Jain culture lost a great prop and patronage. Varniji had passed his life for others. He always thought of doing well to the society. He was eager for expansion of education and knowledge. He himself was highly studied. He inspired many by his own life. He obliged the Indian culture by his services in the field of education and religions teaching and preaching.
Many persons were attracted to him by his simplicity, love for education, thirst for knowledge, highest character, love for everyone, spiritual outlook, deep study, faith in religious rites, longing for eternal peace, insistence for non-violence, truth, celibacy and detachment with worldly affairs. There is a large group of such persons which include thousands of Shravaks (Jain family holders) of Northern and Eastern India, prominent rich merchants and business men, learned persons, professors, large number of intellegensia and Jain followers. Many mendicants and detached personalities were also attached and attracted towards Varniji. Here is a brief list of such persons who were given Dixa by Varniji and others who were graced by him. Devotee Manoharlalji Varni- he was known as Sahajanand Varni among the people. He has created a large bunch of literature on Jainism. He died at Muzaffarnagar in 1979 AD. In addition to this, Shri PoornaSagarji, ShriSwarupanandji, Shri Chdanandji,Shri Deepchandji Vami, Bhagat Shri Pyarelalji, celibate mother Chandabaiji, celibate mother Krushnabaiji and celibate Shri Surendra-nathji, Ratanchandra Mukhtar, Dr. Narendra Vidyarthi, and Niraj Jain are the main personalities inspired by Shri Varniji.
Educational Institutions Established By Shri Varniji:
With his continuous efforts and longing for knowledge, he inspired people of Bundelkhand and surrounding area to give liberal donations for establishing schools, Pathshalas etc. Thousands of students, scholars, learned personalities, detached persons, mendicants and research scholars have taken great advantage of these institutions. Some of these institutions can be listed as under: 1.Syadvad Vidyalaya at Benaras (U.P.), 2. Ganesh Maha Vidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.), 3. Mahilashram,
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