Santbal A Saint with a Difference

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

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The idea of holding a Conference of all Sthankvasi Jains at Ajmer caught the imagination of Santbal, and though his Guru Shri Nanchandraji was not very enthusiastic about the outcome of this Conference, but having noticed the enthusiam of his dear pupil, he agreed to attend the same.
Though the Conference was not very successful in bringing concrete results it did bring hundreds of learned Saints and Shravakas at one place from all over India, after 1500 years. Previously such conferences were held years ago at Patliputra (modern Patna in Bihar), Mathura (in U. P.) and Vallabhipur (modern Vala in Saurashtra).
The Conference, however, proved very beneficial individually to Shri Nanchandraji and our Santbalji as they had made very good impression on all concerned by their oratory and the "Avdhan" demonstration given by our Santbal for which he was awarded the title of "Bharat Ratna", meaning the "Jewel of India".
The whole Conference was greatly impressed by Gujarati Saints Munishri Nanchandraji and Ratnachandraji. Upadhyay Shri Amar Muniji, who, was very highly respected in the North not only for his lucid philosophical insight in all Indian philosophies but also for his reformist views, could appreciate the liberal approach of Shri Nanchandraji towards all Indian philosophies and strongly recommended to the Mahajan of Agra to take advantage of his sermons and presence during approaching Chaturmas.
Therefore, on a very earnest request of Agra Jains Maharaj Shri Nanchandraji agreed to go to Agra. There he delievered sermons in Hindi and Urdu and the spell-bound audience of the north was mad after him. Santbal also greatly impressed them by his "Avadhan" demonstrations. Management of "Dayal Bag", the
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