Renowned Jain monk Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj died at the age of 77 on February 18 after undertaking ‘sallekhna’, a religious practice involving voluntary fasting unto death, at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called his death an “irreparable loss”.
‘Sallekhna’ is a Jain religious practice involving voluntary fasting unto death for spiritual purification, a statement from the teerth said. Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj attained Samadhi through ‘sallekhna’ at Chandragiri Teerth at 2:35 am, the statement said.
“Maharaj was staying on the teerth in Dongargarh for the last six months and was unwell for the past few days. According to Jainism, it is a vow taken for spiritual purification,” the statement said.
In a tweet, PM Modi condoled the demise of Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj. “Throughout his life, he remained engaged in poverty alleviation as well as promoting health and education in society. It is my good fortune that I continue to receive his blessings. My meeting with him at Chandragiri Jain Temple in Chhattisgarh last year will be unforgettable for me. I have received a lot of love and blessings from Acharya ji,” he wrote on X.
Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj of Digambar Muni tradition is the only Acharya of the country who has given 505 Muni, Aryika, Ailak, Kshulak initiations so far. The name of Acharyashree Kunthu Sagar Maharaj comes second, he has given 325 initiations so far.
Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj
(10 October 1946 – 18 February 2024)
Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj (10 October 1946 – 18 February 2024) was an Indian Digambara Jain Acharya (Digambar Jain Monk). He was recognized both for his scholarship and tapasya (austerity). He was known for his long hours in meditation. While he was born in Karnataka and took diksha (undertook spiritual discipline) in Ajmer in Rajasthan. He generally spent much of his time in the Bundelkhand region where he is credited with having brought about a revival in educational and religious activities. He wrote haiku poems and the epic Hindi poem “Mukamati”.
His childhood name was Vidyadhar. He was the second of four sons, the eldest son being Mahavira Ashtage Ji and the younger ones Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji. Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj was initiated as a Digambara monk in 1968 at the age of 22 by Acharya Gyansagar Ji Maharaj, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar Ji Maharaj, at Ajmer.
Vidyasagar Ji was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972. The Acharya did not eat salt, sugar, fruits, milk, oil, ghee, in addition to what is traditionally prohibited (like onions). He went out for a meal at about 9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. from Śrāvakas (lay votaries). He took food once a day in the palm of his hand, one morsel at a time and slept on the floor or a wooden platform without any mattress or pillow. As a Digambar monk, for discourses he was provided a raised wooden seat without any padding.
Samadhi
The Acharya gave up acharya hood and took sallekhna on 16 February 2024 at Chandragiri Tirth, Dongargarh and took his last breath (Samadhi) on 18 February 2024 at 02:35 AM at Chandragiri tirth, Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh. He gave the Acharya title to Niryapak Muni Samaysagar maharaj on 6 February 2024.
His tradition
Acharya Vidyasagar Ji belongs to the tradition established by Acharya Shantisagar Ji. Acharya ShantisagarJi initiated Acharya Vidyasagar Ji, who was then succeeded by Acharya Shivsagar, Acharya Gyansagar Ji and finally Acharya Vidyasagar Ji.
Acharya Vidyasagar Ji has been a source of inspiration to the people for founding institutions for their welfare at different locations. Since the number of monks (munis) and nuns (āryikas) initiated and directed by him exceeds two hundred (117 Digambar Muni, 172 Aryikas), they stay in more than 60 locations in India during Chaturmas, ranging from Gujarat to Jharkhand, and Haryana to Karnataka. This ensures that only a few monks or nuns are staying in one place.
