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By Upadhyaya Yasha
There are few personalities in this world whose impact is so universal, and whose greatness is such, that they defy all definition. The nature of their charisma cannot be encompassed in mere metaphors or other figures of speech. Neither intellect nor imagination can fully grasp their super splendid spiritual being, nor can words ever truly express their worth. An entire age I blessed by their presence, but all means of expression fall short of fully describing their divine grace. Such radiant beings are not bound by any limitations, and like a lamp upon being lit, they shed their luminescence all around. That great sage, the revered Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj, the embodiment of the consciousness of his time, is such a personality and it often seems that even after having spoken at length about him, so much is still left unsaid. The character of this visionary of Veerayatan was a rainbow of many a distinctive hue. He was graced with an all-penetrating yet ever-peaceful look, a logical and precise mind, a truth-seeking temperament, an imperturbable resolve in the face of adversity, total dedication to attaining inner purity and a vision that gave a much deeper meaning to a concept like 'religious tolerance'. He had a face that constantly radiated contentment and good cheer, and possessed an eagerness to progress on the path of duty with the well-being of all creatures at heart. One is enchanted at every turn by the beauty of these his inner qualities. Future generations will marvel at the fact that a great saint was born in the twentieth century who, by the example of his life, gave new meaning to words like 'monk', 'saint', 'ascetic' and 'sage'. The poetic brilliance of his speech stirred his listeners to the depths of their being and changed their lives for the better. So electrifying were his writings that they created 'thought-quakes' in the minds of his readers. His thoughts, words and deeds were one with the divine and a constant 'shower' of affection from his eyes transformed animosity into amity. Venerable Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj was born on November 1", 1902, into an ordinary farming family in the village of Godha near Narnaul in the State of Haryana. No-one knows what inspired his father Lal Singh and his mother Chameli Devi to name their son Amar Singh. It is said that favourable opportunities naturally become available to those people whom destiny decides to elevate to greatness and glory. Even an ordinary occasion becomes an extraordinary opportunity. One day young Amar Singh was visiting Narnaul with his father when he met Acharya Shri Motiramji, the spiritual stalwart of the Sthanakvasi Jain community. The Acharya Shri immediately perceived the hidden potential of the boy. Just then his father Lal Singhji said, "Guru Maharaj, he is the lamp that lights up your devotee's family." Upon hearing this, the Acharya Shri retorted: "Fool, he is no lamp. He is the sun. One day he'll spread the light of religion all over the world. Come, leave him with me." The father honoured his Gurudev's command. So at the age of fifteen, adolescent Amar Singh became Amar Muni, the disciple of Shri Prithvi Chandraji Maharaj. Later, talking about the incident, Pujya Gurudev Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji Maharaj said: "I did not select my guru. At that stage I had neither the clarity of vision nor the maturity of thought to recognise a true guru. However, my guru, with his divine perspicacity, picked me and awakened the godhead that lay dormant within me."
Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji had an intense thirst for knowledge. He had a sharp intellect and a powerful reasoning ability. He was 'inquisitiveness incarnate'. His instructors were amazed and his gurus delighted by his receptivity. Gurudev's poetic talent reflected not only his great learning but also his inborn wizardry with words. His voice was sonorous and his oratory brilliant. As he gained in stature, Gurudev Amar Muniji naturally became the focus of attention for the entire Jain community. The patriotic wave of freedom-fighting that swept the country touched Amar Muniji too. He began to write songs and poems about nationalism and independence. These revolutionary verses became so popular that the Maharaja of Patiala, under pressure from the British Government, tried to ban them but this created such a furore that they had to give in. Gradually Muni Shriji's poetry, filled with devotion and love, inspired the entire Jain community and people began to affectionately address him as Kaviji (the poet). Upadhyaya Shriji was like the ancient sages and the holy fakirs; like them he led a contented and solitary life of detachment from all things. In unfavourable situations he remained steady like an insurmountable wall, but to the common man he was a messiah of compassion. He was a self-made man; constant learning and experience honed his character. He often used to quote an ancient verse: yadi pathi vipathe ka yad vrajamah sa panthah - 'the traveller on the path of truth creates his path himself'. The routes to realisation are not readymade; they need to be laid out and he who has this knowledge opens up a new track wherever he treads. Following in his footsteps makes even the roughest road smooth.
The dignity of one who searches for the truth lies not in clinging to outdated observances, but in creating a sense of openness within which people can develop their lives along the right path. Amar Muniji's revolutionary ideas moved every Jain heart and mind. Upadhyaya Shriji infused a new dynamism into the thought patterns and processes that had become stagnant. He was never afraid to voice his thoughts; he opposed dogmatism and was an advocate of adaptability. He always rose above personal interests and fought courageously for his religious order, the welfare of society and humanity as a whole. He never gave up until the desired result was achieved. This was why the intellectuals and the common people, the young and the old, all looked up to him. Even his opponents could not question his truthfulness or find a blemish on his spotless character. He spent many years organising the scattered sadhus and sadhvis of the Sthanakavasi order under the name 'Shraman-sangh'. He instilled in its members a renewed strength and vitality, revamped the codes of conduct and imbued their education and spiritual development with a new energy. Despite all his accomplishments he preferred to stay anonymous. He believed in performing his duties and then leaving the accolades for others. Upadhyaya Shri Amar Muniji was wonderfully creative. He wrote more than a hundred inspirational works including articles, poems, essays and critical reviews. His topics were varied and his treatment of them interesting and uplifting, and enriched by his philosophy of life, they provide a highly practical guide to those aspiring to the spiritual path. His contribution to the development of society was not only revolutionary but also epoch-making. Enraptured by his wisdom and erudition, Jain society endowed him with the title of 'Upadhyaya'. The University of Agra awarded him the honorary degree of 'D.Litt.' In recognition of his service to the nation, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, conferred upon him the title of Rashtrasant (National Saint). And in all this approbation, it seems as if the awards themselves, because they adorned his glorious person, were vouchsafed greater worth. He spent a chaturmas (a four-month period), in the Saptparni cave on the Vaibhargiri Hills in the Rajgir region. There he led the life of an ascetic, observing a vow of silence and spending many hours in meditation. He also subjected himself to long periods in the scorching heat of the sun. Onlookers were bewildered at seeing that a saint of such high scholastic ability could also follow the path of meditation and the austere life. This spiritual being, who always spoke about selfdiscovery, did not himself shirk from undertaking even the most severe practice of tapa. Upadhyaya Shriji continued his meditation undaunted, surrounded by lions, tigers and other wild beasts. It was as if the divine rays of friendship made the atmosphere overflow with love and fearlessness. During this period of contemplation, Mahavir's message of welfare for all, that had once echoed through these very mountain ranges and awakened a spiritual consciousness in many people, stirred Gurudev from within. It was in those blessed moments that Pujya Gurudev made an iron resolve; he decided to reach out to each and every human heart with Mahavir's message of compassion - a message that is today sadly confined to a relatively small number of people. A promise like his, made with total sincerity and commitment, can never go unfulfilled. Today Veerayatan symbolises the vow made by that pious saint. Ordinary beings dream in their sleep, but great men and saintly souls dream even while they are awake. Nurtured by innumerable sincere and dedicated hands, Pujya Gurudev's dream of Veerayatan has become a fountainhead of inspiration from which streams of service, education and spiritual cultivation flow in all directions. The call that came from Gurudev is today giving new vitality to people from all walks of life. The manifestation of Gurudev's vision, Veerayatan, holds many promising possibilities for the future. It is like a shining pillar illuminating not only the East but every other part of the world as well. The small seed sown by those holy hands has today developed into an enormous tree of universal welfare with all-enveloping branches of love, compassion and friendship for everyone.
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Published By : Veerayatan U. K. The Wentworth, Pinewood Close, Oxhey Drive
South Mail
to : Ahimsa Foundation
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