Teacher of Humanity

Author(s): C S Mallinath
Publisher: Pulchandji Ved

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Unfortunately, Vriddhi Chandra was not destined to live long. He died in the year 1893. Sometime before his death, he had recommended Dharma · Vijaya for the Pannyasa-pada, for he was fully cognizant of the ability, intelligence and enthusiasm of his pupil and also of the great mental and moral capabilities that were latent in him.
Now Dharma Vijaya was left without his guide to be himself a guide to others; but he was already fully qualified to be his preceptor's successor. The mission for which he was born, was to be commenced. He made up his mind to travel far and wide and to preach the gospel of peace and universal brotherhood. His intention was not to convert people to Jainism. His aims were to remove all misconceptions regarding Jainism, to cast away all superstitions, to establish the brotherhood of religions and to teach the Jainas what real Jainism was. Excepting the four months of the rainy season every year when he had to remain in one place, he was travelling during the other months from place to place, bareheaded and barefooted, in the company of his white-clad monks and disciples.
After the demise of his Guru, he left Bhavnagar and began to visit the villages, towns and cities of Kathiawar and Gujarat. He spent the first chaturmasa at Limdi. The chaturmasas of the following years were spent at Viramgam, Kapodvanj, Sadri