Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 25

From Gujarat he travelled to Rajasthan, where he received higher diksha from Vikashchandra Suriji Maharaj in 1945. Seven years after his diksha, he left Rajasthan and came in contact with Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suriji Maharaj in Sadari Nagar, Punjab. Here began his true development and he learnt Sanskrit, Prakrit and Hindi. He was taught Agams by the Acharya and remained in his service till 1954. When, Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suriji Maharaj left for his heavenly abode, his chief disciple, Acharya Vijay Samudraji was declared as his pattadhar. Muniraj Indravijay travelled with him and was conferred the Ganipad in 1954. He now dedicated himself to propagating Jainism among the Parmar Kshatriyas with the blessings of Acharya Vijay Samudraji.
Parmar Kshatriyas were scattered through a 100 km. region of Panchamahal district, in more than 700 villages. Thanks to Muniraj Indravijay's efforts, more than 70,000 Parmars accepted the Jain dharma. A few of them even chose to adopt the munipath and devoted themselves to human welfare.
In 1970, Muniraj Indravijayji was made an Acharya in WorliMumbai by Acharya Vijay Samudraji and became Acharya Indradinna Surishwar Maharaj. In 1977 when Acharya Vijay Samudraji left this world, Acharya Indradinna Surishwar Maharaj took complete charge of the sangh. The upliftment of his economically backward followers, became his top priority.
To this end, he has constructed a residential complex to accommodate more than 750 poor families with the help of Abhay Kumar Oswal in Ludhiana. He has also been instrumental in erecting the statue of Acharya Vijayananda Surishwarji in Shatrunjay tirtha and for renovating and developing Pavnagarh tirtha as an educational and religious centre. He's also built a girls' hostel, Shri Devshri Jain Kanya Hostel. He has initiated developmental activities in Shri Hastinapur tirtha near Delhi and organised Vijay Samudra Indra Sahdharmi Aid Fund in Jaipur. The gigantic tasks he has accomplished are bound to help the coming generations.
PANTING COURTESY BARUNKUMAR 8.00
25 VARDHAMAN
in Education International