Acharya Vidyasagar
Encyclopedia
Acharya Vidyasagarji is the best known of the modern Digambar Jain Acharya
s of the modern times, known both for his scholarship and tapasya.
He was born as Vidyadhar, Oct.10, 1946 on sharad Purnima in Sadalga, Dist. Belgaum
, Karnataka
. His father was Shri Mallappa, who later became Muni
Mallisagar and eventually attained samadhi. His mother Shrimati later became Aryika
Samayamati, who has also attained samādhi
.
He was initiated a monk by Acharya Gyansagar
ji, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya
Shantisagar
, in Ajmer in 1968. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.
and Prakrit
) and several modern languages, Hindi
, Marathi
and Kannada), he has been a prolific author in Hindi and Sanskrit. Several researchers have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees. His works include:
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration to the people for starting institutions for the welfare of living beings at different places:
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration for religious functions. He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past 9 centuries. Several Panch kalyanak and Gajrath Mahotsava have been organized at different places of the country in the holy presence of Acharya Sri 108 Vidyasagar and his Sangh like Drongiri, chattarpur (M.P) , Bina Baraha Sagar (M.P), Morena (M.P), Madanganj kishangarh Ajmer Raj, khajurahro, kundalgri ,koniji , Jabalpur etc.etc.
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration for the construction, development and renovation of Jain temples and Images all over India.
Acharya Sri always inspired to invite scholars of eminence to have discourses on different subjects .
Acharya Sri has also taken classes to teach his disciples different Granthas. More than hundred books articles have been written on Acharya Sri 108 Vidya sagarji by eminent scholars and dedicated devotees. Also a number of Cassettes, C.D.,etc. has been released on Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji.
Shantisagar Ji:
He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past 9 centuries. Two of his brothers, Muni Yogasagarji and Muni Samaysagarji also followed him and were initiated as Muni(Monk) by Acharya Vidyasagarji.
Some of his famous disciples include
shri 108 muni vinamra sagar ji
Some of his disciples are well known scholars of their own right.
during the rainy season. He has spent his early chaturmas retreats in Rajasthan
.
In 1976, he wandered into Madhya Pradesh, where he now wanders most often. He prefers to stay away from large cities, and thus often stays in remote Jain tirtha
s.
Because his sangh is too large to be supported by a single locality during chatirmas its sections, led by senior monks, stay in about 50-60 locations around India, from North to South India, from West to Eastern India, but mostly around central India. On rare occasions they gather in a single place.
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
s of the modern times, known both for his scholarship and tapasya.
Biography
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
, Karnataka
Jainism in Karnataka
Karnataka, a state in the Southern India has a long association with Jainism, a religion which enjoyed patronage of major historic kingdoms in the state such as the Western Ganga Dynasty, Kadamba Dynasty, Chalukya Dynasty and Hoysala Empire...
. His father was Shri Mallappa, who later became Muni
Muni
"Muni" is a common abbreviation for "municipal" or a city-related service or organization:*The Muny, an outdoor musical theatre in St. Louis, Missouri*Municipal bond*San Francisco Municipal Railway, the public transit agency for San Francisco, California...
Mallisagar and eventually attained samadhi. His mother Shrimati later became Aryika
Aryika
Aryika is the title by which Jain nuns are referred to, specially in the Digambar tradition.In some parts of India, it takes the form Ajji.-See also:* Jain muni* Shravanabelagola*...
Samayamati, who has also attained samādhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
.
He was initiated a monk by Acharya Gyansagar
Acharya Gyansagar
Acharya Jnansagar or Gyansagar is the best known of the Digambar Jain Acharyas of 20th century for composing many Sanskrit epics. He initiated the Acharya Vidyasagar Muni.- Biography :...
ji, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya
Acharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
Shantisagar
Shantisagar
Acharya Shri Shantisagar Maharaj, Charitra Chakravarti was the first Digambar Jain Acharya of the 20th century, and the first Digambar Jain monk to wander in North India after several centuries....
, in Ajmer in 1968. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.
Works
An expert in classical (SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and Prakrit
Prakrit
Prakrit is the name for a group of Middle Indic, Indo-Aryan languages, derived from Old Indic dialects. The word itself has a flexible definition, being defined sometimes as, "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", or "vernacular", in contrast to the literary and religious...
) and several modern languages, Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
and Kannada), he has been a prolific author in Hindi and Sanskrit. Several researchers have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees. His works include:
- Sanskrit texts: Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka.
- Hindi epic: Muka Maati, published by Bharatiya Jnanpith.
- Verse translations of classics: Yogasara, Ishtopadesha, Samayasar (Kundakunda ka Kundan), Gomatesh thudi etc.
- Verse translation of Samana Suttam
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration to the people for starting institutions for the welfare of living beings at different places:
- Brahmi Vidya Ashram, Sagar.
- Acharya Vidya sagar sodh sansthan pisanhari madhia, Jabalpur.
- Sri Varni Digamber Jain Gurukul , pisanhari Madhia Jabalpur.
- Bharat varsiya ,Digamber Jain Administrative Training Institution.
- Acharya Vidyasagar management Science Institution, Bhopal.
- Gyanoday Vidyapeeth.
- Gyanoday Viklang Punarvas Prashikhan and Sodh Sansthan.
- Gyanoday Limbs.
- Bhagyoday Tirth, Sagar.
- Acharya Vidyasagar Scholarship Trust, Atishay Chhetra Mahuwa.
- Goshala-More than 60.
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration for religious functions. He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past 9 centuries. Several Panch kalyanak and Gajrath Mahotsava have been organized at different places of the country in the holy presence of Acharya Sri 108 Vidyasagar and his Sangh like Drongiri, chattarpur (M.P) , Bina Baraha Sagar (M.P), Morena (M.P), Madanganj kishangarh Ajmer Raj, khajurahro, kundalgri ,koniji , Jabalpur etc.etc.
Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji has been a source of inspiration for the construction, development and renovation of Jain temples and Images all over India.
Acharya Sri always inspired to invite scholars of eminence to have discourses on different subjects .
Acharya Sri has also taken classes to teach his disciples different Granthas. More than hundred books articles have been written on Acharya Sri 108 Vidya sagarji by eminent scholars and dedicated devotees. Also a number of Cassettes, C.D.,etc. has been released on Acharya Sri Vidya Sagarji.
His tradition
He belongs to the tradition established by AcharyaAcharya
In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men...
Shantisagar Ji:
- Charitra Chakravarti Shri 108 Acharya Shantisagar JiShantisagarAcharya Shri Shantisagar Maharaj, Charitra Chakravarti was the first Digambar Jain Acharya of the 20th century, and the first Digambar Jain monk to wander in North India after several centuries....
, who initiated - Shri 108 Acharya Virsagar Ji, who initiated
- Shri 108 Acharya Shivsagar Ji, who initiated
- Shri 108 Acharya Gyansagar Ji, who initiated Acharya Vidyasagar Ji
He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past 9 centuries. Two of his brothers, Muni Yogasagarji and Muni Samaysagarji also followed him and were initiated as Muni(Monk) by Acharya Vidyasagarji.
Some of his famous disciples include
- Shri 108 Muni Niyamsagar Ji
- Shri 108 Muni Kshamasagar
- Shri 108 Upadhyay Guptisagar
- Shri 108 Muni Sudhasagar
- 105 Aryika Gurumati Mataji
- 105 Aryika Dradmati Mataji
- Shri 108 Muni nirnayasagar
- 105 Aryika Anantamati Mataji
- Shri 108 Acharya Pushpdant Sagar Ji Who has later been Given Acharya Pad by Shri 108 Acharya Vimal Sagar Ji
- Shri 108 Muni Praman Sagari Ji
shri 108 muni vinamra sagar ji
Some of his disciples are well known scholars of their own right.
His wanderings
He and his sangha walk on foot, never staying in a single place for more than a few days, except for the four months of chaturmasChaturmas
Chaturmas is a holy period of four months , beginning on Shayani Ekadashi—the eleventh day of the first bright half, Shukla paksha, of Ashadh —until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the first bright half of Kartik in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.Chaturmas is reserved the...
during the rainy season. He has spent his early chaturmas retreats in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
.
- 1968, 1974 Seth Bhagchand Soni ji Ki Nasiyan, Ajmer (Raj)
- 1969 Kesarganj, AjmerAjmer districtAjmer District is a district of the state of Rajasthan in western India. The city of Ajmer is the district headquarters.Ajmer District has an area of 8,481 km², and a population of 2,180,526 ,Three main groups are; Hindu 1,869,044, Muslim 244,341, Jains 47,812...
(Raj) - 1970 Kishangarh RenwalKishangarh RenwalKishangarh Renwal is a city and a municipality in Jaipur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan.-Demographics: India census, Kishangarh Renwal had a population of 27,563. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kishangarh Renwal has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the...
, JaipurJaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
(Raj) - 1971 Kishangarh, Madnganj, Ajmer (Raj)
- 1972 Nasirabad, Ajmer (Raj)
- 1973 BeawarBeawarBeawar is a city in Rajasthan, India. Beawar was the capital of Merwara state of Rajputana. As of 2011, the population of Beawar is 3,25,000. It is located southwest of the state capital Jaipur, amidst Aravali hills. It is an major centre of trade,especially in raw cotton, and has cotton...
, Ajmer (Raj) - 1975 FirozabadFirozabadFirozabad is a city in India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh.The ancient name of this town was Chandwar nagar; it is said that once in reign of Akbar the great, revenue was being brought through the city. it was looted by the people who lived here...
(U.P)
In 1976, he wandered into Madhya Pradesh, where he now wanders most often. He prefers to stay away from large cities, and thus often stays in remote Jain tirtha
Tirtha
In Jainism, a tīrtha |ford]], a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha...
s.
- 1976,77, 89, 92, 95 Siddhakshetra KundalpurKundalpurKundalpur is a historical site in India. It is located in central Indian state named Madhya Pradesh, 1.6 km from the ruins of Damoh.Shri Digamber Jain Siddha Kshetra KundalgiriPlace & Post – Kundalpur, Dist. – Damoh Management committee :...
, DamohDamohDamoh is a city in the Sagar Division of northeast Madhya Pradesh in India, east of state capital Bhopal and in north by Tikamgarh. It is the administrative headquarters of Damoh District.-Geography:...
(M.P) - 1978, 81, 82 Siddhakshetra Nainagiri, ChhatarpurChhatarpurChhatarpur is a city and a municipality in Chhatarpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Chhatarpur District.- History :...
(M.P) - 1979, 87 Atishychhetra Thubonji, GunaGuna, IndiaGuna is a city and a municipality in Guna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Guna District and is located on the banks of Parbati river.- History :...
(M.P) - 1980, 90, 91 Siddhakshetra MuktagiriMuktagiriMuktagiri is a Jain Pilgrimage centre, located on border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. It comes under Bhainsdehi tehsil of Betul district or Baitul district in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is 14 km away from Paratwada, Dist. Amravati, Maharashtra. Muktagiri is 7 km away from Kharpi...
, Betul (M.P) - 1983 IsriIsriIsri is a census town in Giridih district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Isri had a population of 8,796. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Isri has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
, GiridihGiridih DistrictGiridih district is one of the twenty-four districts of Jharkhand state, India, and Giridih is the administrative headquarters of this district. As of 2011 it is the third most populous district of Jharkhand , after Ranchi and Dhanbad.-History:...
(BiharBiharBihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
) - 1984. 88 Atishayakshetra Pisanhari ki Madhiya, Jabalpur (M.P)
- 1985 Siddhakshetra Aharji, TikamgarhTikamgarhTikamgarh is a city and a tehsil, in Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, it also the district headquarter. The earlier name of the town was 'Tehri' consisting of three hamlets, forming a rough triangle. In the Tikamgarh town there is muhalla still known as 'Purani Tehri'...
(M.P) - 1986 Atishayakshetra Paporaji, Tikamgarh (M.P)
- 1993, 94, 2008 Atishayakshetra RamtekRamtekRamtek is a city and a municipal council in Nagpur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-History:Ramtek has got Historic temple of lord Rama. It is believed that Ramtek was the place where Rama, the Hindu god, rested while he was in exile. Legend has it that the aashram of great hindu sage...
, NagpurNagpurNāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
(MaharashtraMaharashtraMaharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
) - 1996 Atishayakshetra Vighnahar Parshvanathji Mahuva (Guj.)
- 1997, 2002 Sidhoday Siddhakshetra NemawarNemawar-Location:Nemawar is 128 km from Indore, on National Highway 59A.-Places of interest:* Temple of Renukaji* Lord Vishnu's statue at Suryakund* Siddhanath Temple...
, Dewas DistrictDewas DistrictDewas District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The town of Dewas is the district headquarters.The district has an area 7,020 km², and a population 1,306,617 , an increase of 26% since 1991....
(M.P) - 1998 Bhagyoday Tirth, SagarSagarSagar , , called the city of lakes, is a city in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. in a picturesque situation on a spur of the Vindhya Range and 1758 ft. above sea-level, and around 180 km northeast of state capital, Bhopal...
- 1999 Gomattgiri (IndoreIndoreIndore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
) - 2000, 03, 06, 09 Sarvodaya Tirtha, AmarkantakAmarkantakAmarkantak is a pilgrim town and a nagar panchayat in Anuppur District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Also called "Teerthraj" , Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum...
(ShahdolShahdol DistrictShahdol District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. With a total area of 5,671 square kilometers and a population of 908,148. Shahdol is an important district of Madhya Pradesh. The town of Shahdol is the district headquarters. The district is also a Division...
) - 2001, 04 Dayoday Tirth, Tilwaraghat Jabalpur
- 2005, 07, 10 Bina-Barha, Devri, SagarDeori, SagarDeori is a city and a municipality in Sagar district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.-Geography:Deori is located at . It has an average elevation of 360 metres .-Demographics:...
- 2011 Chandra Giri Jain Tirth, Dongargarh, RajnandgaonRajnandgaonRajnandgaon is the primary town of Rajnandgaon District, in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. The population of the city is 143,727 . It came into existence on 26th Jan' 1973, by way of division of district Durg. The District headquarters of Rajnandgaon is on the Bombay - Howrah line of...
,ChhattisgarhChhattisgarhChhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
1st time in Chhattisgarh - Any place where is currently staying, or has stayed at in the past, becomes a pilgrimage center.
Because his sangh is too large to be supported by a single locality during chatirmas its sections, led by senior monks, stay in about 50-60 locations around India, from North to South India, from West to Eastern India, but mostly around central India. On rare occasions they gather in a single place.
Reported miracles
His devotees have reported many miracles attributed to his presence or blessings. Since he rarely visits large cities, politicians, including chief ministers and prime ministers, sometimes visit him for his blessings.External links
- Acharya Shri (in Hindi)
- Acharya Shri Vidyasagar (Bilingual)
- Vidyavani