Book Title: Walk With Me
Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

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Page 126
________________ Walk With Me As a Ganadhar responsible for leading a large group of sadhaks, I watched all this with awe. Through personal one-on-one discussion, Bhagwan Mahavir resolved Meghmuni's concerns, and inspired him by delving deep into his heart and touching it with kindness. The whole sangh was enveloped by Mahavir's love, and I was drawn ever closer to him. Mahavir's tact in explaining Sraman concepts, and in inspiring a young novice, impressed me, because I realized that he was bringing about a social revolution in our society. Mahavir's idea of ordaining young boys and girls, without bias of caste or gender, and of encouraging them to devote their youthful energy to the spiritual as well as social development is revolutionary. It is different from our existing tradition of sanyas-nsram, in which only the elderly head for the forest in full-time spiritual pursuit. Full-time devotion to spiritual matters during youth has been rare in our society. The Brahma Dharmis (predecessor of Hindus) are still tied up in worthless and even harmful traditions such as yagnya, animal sacrifice, and are mired with conflicts in the name of caste and religion. However, the awakened youth that are joining this Sraman movement stand united, and will usher in a new, golden social order through a massive transformation of the mindset of all society. I felt confident that they would succeed because the inspired young minds have the energy and receptive ingenuity to move beyond orthodoxy or beyond petty discriminatory practices. 124 Jain Education Interational For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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