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Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj a renowned saint of the Digambar Jain community, died in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh on Sunday, February 18. He had begun the ‘samadhi’ ritual, where he stopped eating and drinking, three days earlier, according to the report.
The 77-year-old Jain seer quit intake of food and liquids as part of the Jain religious practice, the sallekana, which involves voluntary fasting unto death and passed away at 2.35 am this morning. The statement issued by the Chandragiri teerth in Chhattisgarh said that according to Jainism, sallekhana is a vow for spiritual purification.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the death of the great saint an "irreparable loss" for the country, said that he is thinking of and praying for the countless devotees of Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji.
PM Modi praised the seer, saying that the coming generations would remember him for his invaluable contributions to society. He particularly highlighted the seer's efforts towards spiritual awakening among people, his work towards poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and more.
“I had the honour of receiving his blessings for years. I can never forget my visit to the Chandragiri Jain Mandir in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh late last year. That time, I had spent time with Acharya Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji and also received his blessings,” he recalled in his tweet on the social media platform, X.
Who was Jain muni Acharya Vidyasagar?
Acharya Vidyasagar was born as Vidyadhar Jain on October 10, 1946, in Sadalga, Karnataka. At the age of 15, Acharya Vidyasagar renounced worldly comforts and embraced the path of monkhood, taking a solemn vow to follow the principles of restraint and spiritual discipline. His spiritual journey led him to receive guidance from Acharya Shrestha Gyananasa Garji Maharaja, under whose tutelage he delved deep into the profound teachings of Jain philosophy.
He became a Digambara monk at the age of 22 in 1968, under the guidance of Acharya Gyansagar. He was elevated to the status of Acharya, the highest position in the monastic order, in 1972, at the age of 26.
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Acharya was widely recognised for his profound knowledge and wisdom of Jain scriptures and philosophy. He was well-versed in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi, Kannada and other languages. He authored several books, commentaries, poems and treatises on various aspects of Jainism. Some of his notable works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka, and Shramana Shataka.
He wrote several books, commentaries, poems, and treatises on various aspects of Jainism. Some of his notable works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka, and Shramana Shataka.
He also wrote the epic Hindi poem Mukamati, which is a masterpiece of literature and philosophy. He expressed his views on culture, people, and land, and revived the national identity through his poetry.
Acharya Vidyasagar simple life and high-impact
Acharya Vidyasagar also gained recognition for leading a simple and austere lifestyle, showing compassion and generosity towards people living in poverty and need, promoting vegetarianism and non-violence, and campaigning to preserve and protect ancient Jain temples and manuscripts. He journeyed extensively throughout India and abroad, spreading the message of Jainism and inspiring millions of devotees.
Several awards and recognitions, such as the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1993, the Mahaveer Award in 1995, the Bharat Jyoti Award in 1996, and the Padma Shri in 2004, honoured Acharya Vidyasagar. Several universities, such as the Karnataka University, the Banaras Hindu University, the Rani Durgavati University, and the Vikram University, also conferred honorary doctorates on him.
Acharya also took part in various social and humanitarian activities, like establishing educational and religious institutions, and handing out artificial limbs, hearing aids, crutches, and three-wheelers to disabled people. He conducted eye camps, provided free medicines and glasses, ran a free help center for disabled people in Amarkantak, and established cow shelters in different states to stop animal slaughtering. Moreover, he advocated stopping the export of animal meat and called on all political parties, societies, and religions to support the campaign.
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