Muni Shri Vidyanand Ji
has performed “Sallekhana”
final day on … 19 September 2019
Meaning of ….. SALLEKHANA
Sallekhana – Mastering Death!!!

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Sallekhana is embracing the death voluntarily when both householders and ascetics foresee that the end of the life is very near either due to the old age, incurable disease, severe famine, attack from the enemy or wild animal, etc. At such time one overcomes all the passions and abondons all the worldly attachments by observing austerities such as gradually abstaining from the food and the water and simultaneously meditating on the true nature of the Self until the soul parts the body. An approximate assessment of the remaining span of the life is necessary in order to adjust to the nature of the fasting. He should endure all the hardships, but if he falls ill or for any other reason can not maintain the peace of mind, then he should give up Sallekhana and resume taking foods and other activities.
Accepting to perform Sallekhana is a very special vow. The principle behind this vow is that a person while giving up this body with complete peace of mind, calmness, and patience, without any fear at all not only prevents the influx of the new karmas but also purges the old karmas which are attached to the soul.
Sallekhana is also known by the other names like
Samnyas-marana, Samadhi-marana, Santhara etc.
Read more on
( https://jainworld.jainworld.com/education/seniors/senles15.htm )

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Aacharya Shri 108

Vidyanand Ji Maharaj

In the true tradition of Jain Acharyas we are lucky to have Acharya Vidyanandji in the 20th century and 21st century. It is for several centuries that a person of this caliber, vision, knowledge, exceptional managerial skills and towering personality is available to the Jains. Many historical and landmark projects were undertaken by him to help the Jains to come together (cutting across the sectarian barriers) and understand the great treasures (of values, philosophy and literature) inherited by us as a result of excellent work done by Jain Acharyas over many many centuries. His command over many languages (current and ancient), depth of knowledge and great amount of research in old scripts is reflected in his actions, thinking, discourses and many books written by him. He has widely traveled across the length and breadth of the country covering thousands of miles on barefoot including visit to ice covered Amarnath Caves in Himalayas accessible only for a few days in a year for the benefit of all living beings. May his continued presence be a constant source of inspiration for all of us to spread the message of Sarvodaya (world religion), for the benefit of all living beings.

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Achievements

• Production and distribution of Jain hymns gramophone records 1966-67.
• Renovation, conservation and perseverance of Shri Digambar Jain temple at Srinagar 1971.
• Creation of Jain iconography, Jain symbols including Jain flag composition 1974.
• Dharma Chakra Pravartan 1974.
• 2500th Nirvāṇa Mahotsava of Lord Mahavira 1974.
• Discussions with Acharya Tulsi (Jain monk) and Yuvacharya Mahāprajña^[12]
• Production and distribution of audio cassettes of Samayasāra, DravyaSara and Cheh Dhala in the year 1976.
• Editing, composing and publication of Samayasāra and other scriptures 1977.
• Composing Samayasāra in form of musical hymn 1978.
• Laid the foundation of Kund Kund Bharti in New Delhi in the year 1978.
• Jan-Mangal Kalasha Parvartan 1980.
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka with sahastra shatabdi summit at Shravanabelagola in the year 1981.^[13]
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka with Panch Kalyanaka of Lord Bahubali’s 39 feet (12 m) high statue at Dharmasthala in the year 1982.^[14]
• Peaceful protest against the illegal encroachment and mutual settlement of the historical dispute in Kumbhoj in the year 1983~84.
• Initiated the construction of mega statues of Lord Bahubali at Gommat Giri, Indore and Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh in the year 1986.
• Laid the foundation of Lord Bharata Meditation hall at Kund Kund Bharti, New Delhi in the year 1987.
• Inauguration of newly constructed building of Kund Kund Bharti, New Delhi in the year 1987.
• Organizing various programs under Acharya kundakunda 2000th annual summit in the year 1988.
• Restoration, conservation along with Mahamastakabhisheka of 84 feet tall Lord Adinatha’s ancient statue located at Bawangaja in the year 1991.
• Since 1994 even before Jharkhand acquired Shikharji, leaving the rights of Jains in doubt. Acharya ji is actively monitoring and guiding the community and administration for a worthy resolution.
• Initiated formal courses to learn Prakrit at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha in the year 1996.
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka of the Lord Mahavira statue at Shri Mahavirji in the year 1998.
• Laid the foundation of Kharavela Bhavana at Kundkund Bahrti, New Delhi in the year 1998.
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka of the Lord Mahavira statue at Ahinsa Sthal in the year 2001.
• Addressed interfaith conference organised by UNESCO on the subject “Culture of Peace and non-violence”^[15] in the year 2001.
• Celebrated 131st birth anniversary of Charitra Chakravarti Acharya Shri Shantisagar ji as “Sanyam Varsha” in 2003.
• Laid foundation of a huge temple at the birthplace of Lord Mahavira located in Vasokund, Videhaya kundpur, Vaishali (ancient city), Bihar in the year 2004.
• Managing and organizing Mahamastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola in the year 2006.
• Mahamastakabhisheka and Panch Kalyanaka of huge statue at Bharat Kshetra in Najafgarh, Delhi in the year 2006.
• Organizing Panch Kalyanaka Pratishtha Mahotsava with Elacharya ShrutSagar ji to install Lord Rishabha idol found during the excavation in 1991 Ranila village in Haryana in the year 2006.^[16][17]
• Inauguration of “Ahimsa Paryavaran Sadhana Mandir” at New delhi with H.H. Dalai Lama^[18] and Jagatguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopananda Saraswati Maharaj in the year 2007.^[19]
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Bahubali at Dharmasthala in the year 2007.
• Organizing Mahamastakabhisheka of Lord Adinatha’s ancient statue located at Bawangaja in the year 2008.
• Mahamastakabhisheka and Panch Kalyanaka of huge statue of Lord Jambu Swami located at Mathura chaurasi, Uttar Pradesh with Elacharya ShrutSagar ji and Upadhyay VasuNandi ji in the year 2008.
• Laid the foundation of Kalap Katantra Pustakalaya^[20] at Kund kund Bharti^[21] in the year 2010.
• Initiation of Presidential Awards for the scholars of Prakrit.

Chaturmas: