Books by: Acharya Padmasagar suriji

After leaving home, Premchand reached Ahmedabad via Delhi and Vadodara on the Deepavali Day. He Stayed with his friend for a day and then went to Sanand in the morning of the New Year. He was extremely joyous when he met Acharyadev Shri Kailasasagarsurishwarji Maharaj. - The architect of his life. As if lamp got fuel. His desire to become a monk became irressistable. After listening to the Mangalika of the New Year, he expressed his desire to Acharyashri with great devotion and humility. Reciprocating to his desire, Acharyashri advised him to stay with him for a few days. Premchand now began to study the rules and conduct of the life of Shramans (monks) and practice them fully. Observation of Monk’s life and study of religious scriptures began. When Acharyashri was fully convinced that Premchand was fully prepared for asceticism, he proposed to Sanand Jain sangh for preparations of deeksha.. The sangh was also ready for such a moment. They immediately accepted the proposal of Acharyashri whole-heartedly and started the preparations for the celebration of Deeksha Mahotsava. Then came the auspicious morning of Nov. 13, 1955. Sanand witnessed a great historical event. Huge gathering of people were singing Sanyam praising songs (Bhajans). Trumpets were blowing. Premchand decorated like a Prince saw his determination taking place. At last, the auspicious and happy moment arrived. The Acharyashri gave him Rajoharan. After the ceremony he was dressed in bright white clothes indicative of his future life as a sadhu now as Muni Padmasagarji Maharaj. He deeply impressed the hearts of all present. He came under the tutelage of Acharya Shri Kalyansagarsurishwarji Maharaj. People say that Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuriji Maharaj is a wizard. He is a great orator. None can equal him in keeping the audience spell-bound. He is a versatile genius. His lucid and simple style, frankness, universality of his ideas, original way of presentation, deep meaning and so on are the main characteristics of his lectures. Innumerable non-Jains also come to listen to him. His sermons have earned him wide popularity. The changes brought about by him are indescribable. The entire Jain Shasan is proud of him. His first Chaturmas (four months of the rainy season) as an Acharya was at Bhavnagar with his Guru (master) and Dadaguru (grand master). During this period, he did two very important things. First, it was due to his unrivalled intellectual prowess and popularity that the ban imposed on bala deeksha (renunciation by children) by the Bhavnagar Sangh was amended and he gave deeksha to a Bal Mumukshu (child ascetic) with the consensus of the whole Sangh. Not only this, he also established a record by inspiring the devotees to perform Upadhan penance. Second, after a long period of seven decades, he successfully urged Babubhai Jasbhai Patel a devotee of Acharyashri and the then Chief Minister of Gujarat to stop fishing then prevalent at Shatrunjay Dam. Further, due to his efforts, the proposal to supply eggs to the students / children, of Maharashtra Municipal Corporation run schools was dropped. In his first sermon on “harms of egg eating", he had convinced Shri Shanker Rao Chavan, then C. M. of Maharashtra. The Chief Minister made a proclamation to this effect in general lectures of the Acharyashri organized at Navjeewan Society, Lamington Road, 48, Mumbai. Thus, by inspiring the public to perform important beneficial deeds, he did a great service for the propagation of Jainism. He drew attention of the public to take interest in deeds of welfare for humanity. On the completion of 25 years of his saint hood, inspired by the Acharyashri - the then Honourable President of India, Shri Neelam Sanjiv Reddy, bestowed on him the State honour of Rashtra Saint in the Assembly Hall of Raj Bhawan of Bombay (Mumbai). It is worth to mention, that for this gathering, in consultation with Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the President made it possible the special seating arrangement for the monks, as per the principles of Jain religion. This honour given to the Acharyashri was the honour for the whole Jain sangh.
Published books : 28
Designation : Acharya
Sect : Shwetambar Murtipujak

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