Sumati Jnana

Author(s): Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala

Page 10

iii
where, in 1968, he attained 'Muni-Dīkṣhā' under the same guru. As a muni, he was named 108 Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja. Some days later after taking permission from his guru, Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja travelled to Sammed Shikhar Ji (Bihar) and there he bore the title of "Acārya-Kalpa".
In 13 April 1973, Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja was given the title of 'Acarya' by the Acārya Śrī Vimal Sāgara Jī Mahārāja in Morena (M. P.).
In 3rd October 1994, Acārya Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja attained Nirvana at Sonagiri, distt. Datia (M. P.) and thus, we lost a great saint.
During his monk life, Acārya Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja had moved to most of the parts of India and spread the principle of Jainism as well as did a lot of social and religious pursuits. He gave dīkṣhā nearly to 150 persons. A large number of Jina images were installed in different temples by his inspiration. He also inspired the construction of many Jaina pious structures like Mānastambha at Morena and Idar (Gujarat), Caubīsī at Bhind, Tyāgīvrati Asarma at Sammed Shikhar Ji (Bihar) and Sonagiri (M. P.), medical centre at Ajmer (Rajasthan) etc. He had conducted more than 20 Pancakalyāṇaka mahotsavas in various parts of India.
He was a saint of enchanting personality. He always indulged either in study or in deep penance. No one has ever seen anger on his face instead of divine smile. His style of sermon was very simple to be understood by a common man. He believed in fasts and made frequent fasts. Once he had fasted for a month that's why he is called "Māsopavāsi". By physical appearance, he had a very slender body but internally he was very healthy.
He was also involved in writing. He had authored and translated many books viz. ŚastraJääna-Dīpikā, Pravacana-Mandir, Āgam Ārṣa mārga etc. He had also authored many articles in different journals. By his inspiration, a Jaina journal "Śramaṇāchāra” was started to be published from Sonagiri.
Now, Parama Pujya Acārya Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja is not amidst us but he is always remembered by his virtues.
He is now amidst us in the form of Parma Pūjya Upādhyāya 108 Śrī Gyan Sāgara Ji Mahārāja. The present volume dedicated to the memories of Parama Pujya Acārya Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja, is nothing but a result of the desire of Upadhyāyaśrī. It is told that disciple fulfils the wishes of his guru and the same has been done by Upadhyāyaśrī Gyan Sāgara Jī Mahārāja. Acārya Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja had dreamt the construction of a magnificent Nandīśvara Dvīpa at Sonagiri but in his life, he could not made it. His disciple Parama Pujya Upadhyāya Śrī Gyan Sāgara Ji Mahārāja completed this dream and constructed a world's greatest Nandiśvara Dvipa at Sonagiri.
We dedicate this volume in honour of Parama Pūjya Māsopavāsī, Samādhisamrāța Acārya 108 Śrī Sumati Sāgara Jī Mahārāja.
Editors www.jainelibrary.org