Contemporary Jain Legends (English Translation of Arvachin Jain Jyotirdharo) Shraddheya Shri Atmanandji Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra Shri Satshrut Seva Sadhana Kendra Koba, near Ahmedabad (Gujarat) 1 Table of Contents 01. Arch-donor Jain KulBhushan Sheth Shri Manikchand (J.P.) ........................ 14 Family Birth and Childhood: ............................................................................................ 14 Arrival at Bombay: in the Business of Jewellery: ............................................................ 14 Internal and External Property of the Zaveri Family: ....................................................... 15 Flow of Charity: ............................................................................................................... 15 Family Life: ...................................................................................................................... 16 Last Two Years: .............................................................................................................. 16 His Works for Social Up-Lift: ........................................................................................... 17 Beginning of Jain Mitra Periodical: .................................................................................. 17 Establishment of Bharat-Varshiya Digambar Jain Tirthkshetra Committee: ................... 17 Syadvad Vidyalaya, Benaras: ......................................................................................... 17 All-Round Expansion of Religious Studies: ..................................................................... 18 General Education: ......................................................................................................... 18 Towards Social Reforms: ................................................................................................ 18 Individual Behavior and Attachment for Learning: .......................................................... 18 Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................... 19 02. Tapodhan Shrimad Rajendrasuri ..................................................................... 20 Birth: ................................................................................................................................ 20 Childhood and Trade: ...................................................................................................... 20 Detachment and Yati-Dixa: ............................................................................................. 20 Total Revision of the Practice of Yati and Ordinance: ..................................................... 20 Rigorous Penance, Extensive Travelling, Renovation of Pilgrimage-Places and Establishments of Idols Etc.: ........................................................................................... 21 Last Years of Life: ........................................................................................................... 21 Renovation of Five Important Places of Pilgrimage: ....................................................... 21 Service to Literature: ....................................................................................................... 22 Institutions for the Uplift of Society: ................................................................................. 23 Rajendra-Sookti-Sangrah: ............................................................................................... 23 Humanity: ........................................................................................................................ 23 How to Earn Good Norms in Life? .................................................................................. 23 2 Property Gained By Undeserving Methods: .................................................................... 24 Service of Saints and Colleagues: .................................................................................. 24 Always Follow Discipline: ................................................................................................ 24 Development of Virtues: .................................................................................................. 24 True Learning and Scholarship: ...................................................................................... 24 An Evil-Minded Man Is Always Unhappy: ....................................................................... 25 03. Shrimad Laghuraj-svami .................................................................................. 27 04. The Great Scholar Shri Lalan ........................................................................... 28 Childhood and Education: ............................................................................................... 28 A Religious Shravak: ....................................................................................................... 28 Pandit Lalan Abroad: ....................................................................................................... 29 Contribution of Knowledge to Mother-Land: .................................................................... 29 Some Important Events: .................................................................................................. 29 Thirst for knowledge in young age: ............................................................................. 30 Be Optimistic: ............................................................................................................. 30 Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................... 32 05. Dharm Veer Shree Veerchand Raghavji Gandhi............................................. 33 Fearlessness in Telling the Truth: ................................................................................... 34 A Great Patriot: ............................................................................................................... 35 Service to Religion in India: ............................................................................................. 36 06. Guru Gopaldasji Baraiya .................................................................................. 38 Introduction: .................................................................................................................... 38 Birth, Childhood and Education: ...................................................................................... 38 Pilgrimage and Residence at Bombay: ........................................................................... 38 Public Life and Works: .................................................................................................... 39 Contribution in Literature: ................................................................................................ 39 Individual Character: ....................................................................................................... 40 Important Events of His Life: ........................................................................................... 40 Family Life: ...................................................................................................................... 41 Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................... 41 Religion: High Thinking of Guru Gopaldasji: ............................................................... 42 Wealth and Charity: ......................................................................................................... 42 Education: ................................................................................................................... 42 3 Subjective Pleasures: ................................................................................................. 43 07. Param Tattvagna Shrimad Rajchandraji ......................................................... 44 Introduction: .................................................................................................................... 44 Birth: ................................................................................................................................ 44 Childhood: ....................................................................................................................... 44 His Learning: ................................................................................................................... 45 Attachment of Magical Powers in Childhood: .................................................................. 45 Avadhan Shakti and Jyotish Knowledge: ........................................................................ 45 Business and Conduct: ................................................................................................... 45 Family Life: ...................................................................................................................... 46 Thinking, Convalescence and Revelation of Soul: .......................................................... 46 Earnest Desire to Be in Loneliness: ................................................................................ 46 Last Efforts and Demise: (V.S. 1952 to 1957): ................................................................ 47 His Group of Disciples: .................................................................................................... 47 Shri Sobhagbhai: