Santbal A Saint with a Difference

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

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Chaturmas of 1935 there and decided to pass the next Chaturmas of 1936 at Chinchpokali (Bombay).
Literary Work and Observation of “Maun”
During this time Santbal wrote books titled Sukhno Sakshatkar (Realisation of Happiness), Adarsh Gruhasthashram (Ideal Household), Manavtanu Mithu Jagat (Sweet World of Humanitarianism). These books were mostly the compilation of the sermons given by Gurudev Munishri Nanchandraji. But this original work was a biographical account of the life of Shri Lonka Shah titled Dharma Pran Lonka Shah. This seems to have been written under the pseudonym of “Santbal" without the permission or knowledge of Gurudev. As already noted above Lonka Shah's ideas were based on scriptural study and concluded against idol-worship. Santbalji had to deal with subject of idolworship while writing Lonka Shah's biography, but his views seem to have irritated the fundamentalist idol-worshippers. This created some embarrassment to Guruji who was trying to patch up the schism between these two factions of Jains.
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By this time Santbal had developed inclination for observing total silence (Maun) for about one whole year. He asked for the permission of Gurudev for this. The later advised him that he could do so at the place where they would be staying. Santbal was, however, anxious to go to a lonely place to observe total silence for one year. Santbal himself writes that at that time he .. had no idea as to how his action to go to a lonely place to observe total silence would be misunderstood by orthodox Jain organisations and in the result how it would embarrass Gurudev. However, Santbal put his idea into action and selected a place called Ranapur on the banks of holy river Narmada for his lonely residence and total silence for one year. Gurudev, in order to see that his dear pupil could avail of some help during his lonely silent days, asked one of his other pupils to accompany Santbal,
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