रचनाएं

I consider myself fortunate to express my reverence for His Holiness Acharya Mahashramanji. Venerable Gurudev is guiding light, the Paragon of devotion and the embodiment of divinity. In his presence everyone feels a strange serenity and experience the flow of celestial power and purpose. He is an epitome of virtues. we worship him as a true ambassador of Lord Mahavira's teachings. While addressing common masses his preaching brings a new light and shows the right path. The purity of his spiritual practice (sadhana) is constantly reflected through his personality. His divine aura has magnetic power that always attracts followers. Each and every action of his teaches the ideal lesson of morality. Rarely do we find such an unmoved mover, a real sthita-pragya, on this earth.
It is a challenging task to summarise personality of a great saint like Acharya Mahashraman in limited words. His life is an amalgamation of various virtues. I would like to throw light on some of his Speafic attributes that greatly influenced me. They and enlisted below:
1. Control Over Senses (Indriya samyam) - The first virtue is of mastery over senses and mind. Acharya Mahashraman is a highly industrious person. His trained mind and body made this possible to traverse a great distance on foot everyday (except rainy season), deliver public speech, editing Agam texts, speaking to shravakas, uttering Jay innumerable times for the devotees, Counselling and directing people, responding to hundreds of messages besides all his ascetic duties. All these activities prove his alertness of body and mind.
2. Punctuality - In Dasavakalika Sutra, Lord Mahavira says “Kale Kalam samayare i.e. a monk must be punctual. He should be conscious of discharging his duties on time. Acharya Mahashraman is a living legand of this aphorism. By observing his keen awareness about time, it is difficult to say either he respects the time or time pays respect and remain devoted to His Holiness.
In this context, I must mention an incident that took place during Jasol chaturmas. A few volunteers wanted to have a meeting with Acharya shri, who was very busy at that time. So could not give time on that perticular day. Volunteers pleaded Gurudev to hold the meeting with them as early as possible. Gurudev agreed to do so the next day. The volunteers had to leave the next day because of their air tickets. Acharya shree paused for a moment and found a solution. His Holiness asked them to come at 4 a.m. early in the morning for the meeting. The volunteers were shocked to hear about the early hours but they agreed to be present at that time.
In the early morning volunteers were amazed to see Gurudev sitting outside and waiting for them. This illustration itself reveals and reflects the importance of time in his life.
3. True Dedication - The third quality that wins the heart of each individual of Terapanth Dharma Sangha is true dedication towards his sect. In Sardarshahar, when he was enthroned on the post of Acharya, his first declaration was he would try to keep the mental peace (citta samadhi) of every ascetic disciple and all the lay followers.
It was not mere a declaration, he put his heart and soul to fulfil his resolution. Many times he Sacrificed his own comforts. In order to make others comfortable. He has plunged himself into the spirit of Terapanth dharma sangha.
4. Humbleness - This ethical virtue is reflected through him in an astounding manner. Acharya Mahashraman is a live example of humbleness. His peak of humility was experienced by all on the occassion of his meeting with shashanmata (a head nun of Terapanth nuns). It was indeed a historical moment when not only did he give darshan to shashanmata, but also he paid his respect to her. All this was accomplished after walking 47 kilometer a day. He experssed his venerance for her by kneeling infront of her. It astonished every one present there.
These are the virtues which cast an indelibal impression on all those who come in contact with him. Let me conclude with a story. Once a mentor wanted to know from his pupils that what they want from him. The desires should be written on a piece of paper. All disciples expressed their various wishes. Among them there was one who just drew a picture of an eye. When asked to interpret the picture, he just folded his hands and spoke in a humble way “O Gurudev! I request you to shower your affectionate and lovable glance on me till the end of my life.”
Similarly on the occassion of his Holiness’ 50th Diksha Divas, I humblely request Acharya shri to shower his benevolent blessings. on me till my last breath. May you continue to enlighten humanity for a very long time. I wish you enable me to imbibe all above mentioned virtues.