Dr. Mahendra Kumar Nyayacharya (1911 - 1956)
Renowned Jainologist
The highly renowned Jainologist of his time Dr. Mahendra Kumar Nyayacharya was born at Khurai in district Sagar (Madhya Pradesh) in 1911. He had his early education at Jain Pathshala at Vina and Sir Hukam Chand Mahavidyalaya, Indore. His well built body and good personality besides his through learning of the Jain subjects very much impressed whosoever came into his close contact. After assing Shastri and Nyayacharya examinations he was appointed in 1930 as a teacher of Jain philosophy in Syadwad Mahavidyalaya, Varanasi. During the 13 year period, he taught at this institution, he very much raised the standard of teaching of the subject of Jain philosophy. During this period also concentrated on developing Akalanka Saraswati Bhavan of the Vidyalaya to which he intended to make as an ideal place of research good collection of rare anskrit, Pali and Prakrit language texts.
On establishment of Bhartiya Jnanpith in 1954, he joined the same and developed its activities in the field of publication of scholarly Jain works. He also edited its monthly magazine Jnanodaya. Dr. Jain was appointed as a Lecturer in Banaras Hindu University in 1950 to teach Buddha Philosophy where he earned much respect. In teach Jain Darshan on establishment of Sanskrit University, Varanasi.
The premature death of learned scholar Dr. Jain on May 20, 1959 due to cerebral stroke was very much felt amongst the entire community of Jain scholars. His thorough learning is very well apparent from the editing of difficult texts. He edited the important scriptures like Nyaya Kumud Chandra (2 vol.) Praman Mimansa, Akalanka Gtanthatryi. Premeya Kamal Martanda and Jaidhawal etc. Jain philosophy is his remarkable work which gave him the highest fame. It was awarded by U. P. Govt. one of the best creations on philosophy. Dr. Jain was a distinguished and authoritative scholar of Nyaya and Darshan. He had received the Ph. D. degree (Bengali) from Hindu University, Varanasi on his edited work Sidhi-Vinischaya Vivran'. Dr. Jain left behind him two sons Shri Padma Kumar and Arvind Kumar Jain.
-----------------------------------------------------
Source : From 'Progressive Jains' Authored by Mr. Satish Kumar Jain
-----------------------------------------------------
Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R2191