Vardhaman Book on Jainism

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

Page 47

lence becomes powerless before cruelty. One can't be a mute spectator if you see a cow being butchered in front of your eyes."
Chandanaji goes so far as to say that "the Jain religion has been wrongly presented in some aspects; non-attachment has become synonymous with abhaav (deprivation). On the contrary, Tirthankhar Maharaj has termed abhaav a sin. One of my aims is poverty alleviation." The other goals include promoting vegetarianism and helping relieve stress by encouraging positive thought.
A life of an ascetic is obviously difficult, but it's even more of a struggle for one who has chosen to not just serve humanity, but also create her own path. Chandanaji has faced obstacles - monetary, physical (even a raid by dacoits) and ideological. "There has been some opposition, but it didn't last because there was no strong reasoning to back it," says she. "I have made a deep study and questioned my beliefs in search of the solution, and I found it inside me. How does one define religion? Knowledge is religion - knowledge that dispels your negative tendencies, which gives direction to your life. I want to stress that mere sacrifice is not the same as being spiritual; sacrifice should also make you useful to humanity."
It was at the tender age of 14 years that Acharya Chandanaji chose this path, which she ascribes to a past-life association. "My family and I used to stay in a village, and one day, when I wasn't even old enough to study in school, my grandmother took me to a temple for the darshan of Swami Pragyanandji. I bowed before him and asked him whether I too would meet God. He said that I would realise God one day. The condition of the poor, especially my schoolmates, was something I could not bear to see. So I would often help them in various ways, sometimes without the knowledge of my parents. When my mother came to know about this, she encouraged me to ask for whatever I needed for my little acts of charity. This continued for a few years. One day, my grandfather came home, and told me that some sadhvis were in the neighbourhood. Until then, I had never seen sadhvis or known about their good work. That was the day I decided to join their order."
Thirty-six years later, she was proclaimed the first female Acharya. Says Chandanaji. "Self-respect is one form of womanhood. There is no reason why it wasn't done until now. I am fortunate to be the first, and I am thankful to everyone for the same."
Far From
The Madding
Crowd Navalveerayatan, run by Acharya Chandanaji, is a unique centre for learning
courses intend to develop the body, mind and soul of the participants using modern techniques of instruction, workshops and discussions. Run by Acharya Chandanaji and her band of sadhvis, Navalveerayatan focuses on self-understanding and inner peace. The centre runs a special one-month course for young women, comprising spiritual, cultural and moral education for the participants.
Navalveerayatan provides nutritious meals and comfortable accommodation. An ultra-modern training faculty, open air spacious playground, beautiful spots for meditation and a cultural hall for music and art, complete the Navalveerayatan experience. The courses at Navalveerayatan cater to almost all age groups, educational levels, family backgrounds and linguistic preferences.
Set up by the Amar Prerana Trust of the Firodia family and dedicated to the memory of the late Shri Navalmalji Firodia, Navalveerayatan is open to members of all faiths, creeds, age groups and nationalities.
s the pace o life's journey becomes increas. ingly uncertain and frenzied, we get fewer
opportunities to rest and reflect. To reveal our own inner beauty, a special education is required, directed towards raising not the quantity of goods that we need, but the quality of life that we lead. We need to learn techniques for making our lives and relationships more meaningful and more satisfying, both for ourselves and for our loved ones.
Navalveerayatan allows us to acquire these qualities by learning the true art of living. Located in a pollution-free, clean environment, atop a beautiful hill, Navalveerayatan is a unique experience. Situated 60 km. from Pune in Maharashtra, Navalveerayatan is an extraordinary centre for imparting spiritual and cultural education for all castes and faiths.
Navalveerayatan runs residential courses of various durations - from one day to three months. These
47 VARDHAMAN
Education intomational
www.binaliha.