Raipur: The Jain community mourns the loss of one of its most revered and respected leaders, Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Maharaj, who attained Samadhi (a state of conscious departure from the body) at the age of 77 on 18 February 2024. He was a Digambara Jain monk, known for his scholarship, austerity, meditation, and social service. He breathed his last at Chandragiri Tirtha in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh, where he had been staying for about six months due to ill health.
Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj had initiated the process of Samadhi three days before his demise, following the tradition of voluntary renunciation of life by giving up food and water and observing a vow of silence. His mortal remains will be consigned to the five elements (Panchatatva) on Thursday at 1 pm, as per his wishes.
He was born as Vidyadhar on 10 October 1946 in Sadalga village of Belagavi district, Karnataka, on the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima. He came from a devout Jain family, with two of his brothers and both his sisters also embracing the monastic life. He was ordained as a Digambara monk in 1968 by Acharya Gyansagar Ji Maharaj, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar Ji Maharaj, at Ajmer. He became the Acharya (spiritual head) of his sect in 1972 at the young age of 26, after the Samadhi of his guru.
He was an expert in classical (Sanskrit and Prakrit) and several modern languages (Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada), and authored many books and poems in Hindi and Sanskrit. He also wrote the epic Hindi poem “Mukamati” (silent soil), which depicts the life and teachings of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. He was awarded the Guinness World Record for the longest epic poem in Hindi in 2023 and was also honored as the God of the Universe on 11 February 2024 by the Jain community.
He was a visionary leader who worked for the welfare of society and the environment. He promoted education, health, and sanitation among the rural and tribal populations, especially in the Bundelkhand region, where he spent much of his time. He also advocated for the preservation of ancient Jain temples and manuscripts, and the protection of animals and plants. He supported the promotion of Hindi language and culture and encouraged inter-faith dialogue and harmony.
He was widely respected and admired by people from all walks of life, including political leaders, celebrities, and intellectuals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met him and sought his blessings during his visit to Chhattisgarh for the assembly elections in November 2023. He praised him as a “living legend” and a “great source of inspiration”.
With his passing, the Jain community has lost a spiritual giant and a guiding light. His successor will be Shraman Muni Shri Samaysagar Maharaj, who is his disciple and also his real brother in his worldly life. He had entrusted him and another disciple, Muni Yogasagar Maharaj, with his responsibilities on 6 February 2024, in a private meeting. Both the monks are known for their learning and devotion.
