Few Words
Sangasth-Aryika Suvratmati
Manglam syanmahaaveero, shri gautmashch manglam
Jin shashaanamaachandram, stheyaat kuryachch manglam
During discipline-period of Lord Mahaaveer, ”’Shri Shantisagarji Maharaj”’, the epoch- maker, ”’Chaaritra Chakravarti”’ had been the first ”’Acharya”’ of the twentieth century who rejuvenated the tradition of Jain-Muni.
Supreme venerable 105 Ganinipramukh Gyanmati Mataji, the supreme female ascetic of Jain community, visited Acharya Shri Shantisagarji Maharaj thrice and gained experience from him and took Aryika initiation from lotus-hands of his first chief disciple Chaitra Chooramani Acharya Shri Veersagarji Maharaj.
She has the longest-standing amongst all the initiated holders of Pichchhika of the present day, and has glorified Jain religion and Jain scriptures. Venerable Mataji always has feelings that how she showers upon all Bhavya Jeeva, the knowledge of scripture and voice of former Achaaryas. The true knowledge is easily acquired from religious Guru, just as Shri Pujyapad Swami narrated in Ishtopdesh treatise-
Agyaanopaastirgyaanam, gyaanam gyaani samashryah
Dadaati yattu yasyaasti, suprasiddhmidam vachah
That is, living beings get false-knowledge by the adoration-company of ignorant and get right-knowledge by the adoration of Guru possessing true knowledge, as the famous saying goes, “whatever one possesses gives that very to others”.
While studying the scriptures, if the meaning of any part is not clear or not understood, then venerable Mataji quotes that her Guru ”’Acharya Shri Veersagarji Maharaj”’ used to say, “Pathitavyam agre agre spashtham bhavishyati”, i.e., always go on reading, studying, and the matter will become clear gradually.
Just as the study of scripture is one essential duty among six daily duties/observations of the Shravak, similarly the study of scripture is one of the penances among six internal penances of the Muni. It has been said “Swaddhyaayah parmam tapah”.
Venerable Mataji has done great beneficence to Jain community by composing Shri Gautam Gandhar Vani. We should make our life pure assimilating a part of veritable evident resonant preaching of Bhagwan Mahaveer and thereby one day get position of salvation gradually in succession. With these auspicious feelings, I bow down my head many times to the holy feet of venerable Mataji.
