Santbal A Saint with a Difference

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

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At the end, a young man dressed in snow white Khaddar Kurta and Dhoti with bright piercing eyes, long håirs and beard and a rosary on his neck was also asked to address the gathering. He gave a short discourse which was very impressive. The Ruler inquired who he was and he came to know that his name was Shivlal and was the original resident of Tol which was within the jurisdiction of the Ruler himself. The Ruler came to know that he was to take Diksha within a few days, at a near-by place Wankaner. “Why Wankaner ?” The Ruler asked, and also expressed his desire that since the “Diskharthi" was the subject of his State, he should take his Diksha in Morvi. The Mahajan pointed out that there was prohibition to Jain Diksha in the State. The Ruler immediately cancelled the prohibition and ordered to render all possible State help for the Diksha ceremony.
The ceremony was over on the appointed day with all usual fanfare wherein all the sections of population took part. Donations for welfare activities were given liberally and the Ruler also participated actively in several functions. Shivlal was now named "Saubhagya” Muni. “Saubhagya" means bright future. This name was subsequently changed by him adopting the name "Santbal" meaning the child of Saints. We shall refer to him henceforth by that name only. Inspired by his renunciation, most of his relatives extended their co-operation to him fully even after he entered the order. One of his nieces named Vanitaben being inspired by him, took the vow not to marry and to render lifelong service to the cause of the poor and the needy.
Life after Diksha :
After he entered the order he seems to have devoted the whole of his time in study. He was encouraged in this by his Guru who took good deal of care to see that the young new recruit to the order utilises his time fully in reading, writing and thinking. Ordinary practice is that the junior-most who enters the order is
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