Dimension of the Faith

Deva, Shastra and Guru (Deity, Scripture and Guru), the guide of the ‘Moksha-Marg’ (path of final emancipation), are the center of our religion, culture and faith. In the present time when Arihant Dev does not exist and ‘Jinwani’ Mata (the Scripture) remains mute, then only Digambar Gurus guide and show the right way.

After last Tirthankara Bhagwan Mahaveer, this succes­sion of Gurus remained uninterrupted. In this succession Achharya Shanti Sager Ji Maharaj is the foremost famous Achharya in the 20th century, widely known as ‘Charitra Chakarvarti’. My fa­ther, venerable late Shri Gyan Chandra ji ‘Swatantra’ had the great privilege of being in the proximity of Achharya Shri.

Being carried away by the emotional feelings, whenever he narrated incidences/memories of Achharya Shri’s elevated high conduct, his unique capacity of enduring affliction, his astonishing style of clarifying doubts, facts disclosing doctrines, etc., I could not resist paying homage to Achharya Shri. My boundless reveren­tial belief in him kept on growing.

Incidentally, Ganj Basoda had an opportunity to witness the ‘ Chaturmas’ of most venerable Muni Shri Prashant Sager Ji and Muni Shri Nirveg Sagar Ji Maharaj. When we had a chance of hearing the twin munis about the heart touching, emotions­ exciting, compassionate and unforgettable memories/incidences of Achharya Shanti Sagar ji pointing to the morals of the life, we thought of publishing a collection of such inspiring memories

. Though the ‘Charita Chakravarti’ work of late Pt. Sumer Chand ji Diwakar describes the complete holy conduct of Achharya Shanti Sager Ji, it is not within the reach of people at large owing to its voluminous nature and high cost. In the meanwhile, a com­plimentary copy of “Lokottar Sadhana” by venerable Pt. Princi­pal Nihal Chand Ji Jain of Bina was received for the study. The heart was filled with instant pleasure after reading this. A strong

feeling to publish this work, of course, with compilation of some other memories of the Achharya Shri, was generated. The author gave his kind consent for its publication in an amended and enlarged from and honourable members of the ‘Geeta Gyan Aradhna ‘Swatantra’ Parmarthik Nyas’ and other generous gentlemen of the community contributed its cost of publication. Therefore, this work ‘Lokottar Sadhak’ is the result of all this.

This invaluable collection of about 125 incidents of the life of Achharya Shri Shanti Sagarji Maharaj shall be of a great help to the human beings in creating an effective understanding of several issues like what is duty and what is not; what should be done and what not; difference between profit and loss; what deserves consideration and what not, etc., and our staunch faith towards Gurus shall be kept on growing stronger.