Vardhaman Book on Jainism

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

Page 44

Maharaj Vavhamyashriji,
Epitome of lovingly known a
Love and Compassion cansoit
Maharaj throughout the Jain community, has a tremendous capacity to comfort and console
TEXTE PAJENDRA DALAL
istory is full of examples of women's saga of patience, courage, dedication, affec
tion, compassion and love for all of mankind. One such lady is the Jain sadhvi Maharaj Vavhamyashriji, popularly known as Ben Maharaj throughout the Jain community.
Her devotees are spread all over world - USA, UK, Holland, and in the smallest of village from Tamil Nadu to Gujarat. Ben Maharaj hails from a very prosperous family of jewellers. Her mother sadhvi Maharaj Sarvodayashriji took Jain diksha with her three young daughters and her only son
devotees with equal love, irrespective of whether they come from the US, UK, Japan or small villages in India.
She is the Jain version of Mother Teresa with a tremendous capacity to console and comfort people with love. Whoever visits her gets a sense of mental peace. During the day she meets on an average, hundreds of devotees, yet makes each one feel special. .
A prolific writer, she corresponds regularly with her devotees, explaining dharmik issues of the day or extolling them to follow some ritual or the
other. One wonders where she finds the energy to keep in touch with her thousands of followers. Though busy in her public life from morning to evening, she also follows the routine life of a Jain sadhvi and looks after her 50 young shisyas' studies and well being. She is very devoted to them, and nurses them to good health with motherly love and affection should they fall ill.
She spends hours in prayers and sadhana (spiritual pursuits). Being a sadhak of Mata Padmavati she has performed Parshva - Padmavati Pujan several times.
A prolific author, Ben Maharaj has written many books on the Jain religion and personalities. She has interpreted and translated important Jain scriptures Das Vaikalik Sutra and Uttara Dhyan Sutra, from Sanskrit to Gujarati in simple layman's language.
under Gurumaharaj Labdhisuriji Maharaj near Palitana in 1950. Ben Maharaj and her sisters were tutored in the Jain shastras and scriptures by the renowned Jain Acharya Vikramsuriji Maharaj. Currently she is under the agya of Jain Acharya Maharaj Rajyashysuriji.
Dedicated to her guru and dharma, Ben Maharaj has studied Jain scriptures extensively and is well versed in Gujarati, Sanskrit. Hindi and English and can explain the different aspects of Jainism with ease.
Ben Maharaj has travelled by foot all over the country, from small village to metros spreading the message of non-violence, righteous living, religion , duty, pity, pardon and truth.
Several families have turned to spiritualism and started following Jain tenets due to her efforts. She treats her
VARDHAMAN 44 national