Acharya Vidyasagar

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 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.[1] He wrote the epic Hindi poem "Mukamati".

Life

Early life
Vidyasagar Ji was born on 10 October 1946 during the full moon festival (Sharad Purnima) in
Sadalga, in the Belgaum district, of Karnataka in a Kannada-speaking Jain family. The modest
house where he was born, is now a temple and a museum.[2]

His childhood name was Vidyadhar.[3] He was the second of four sons, the eldest son being
Mahavira Ashtage Ji and the younger ones Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji.[4] As a child, he was
fond of eating fresh butter which was used to make ghee (clarified butter).[5] He was not a
demanding child and accepted what was given to him.[6] Vidyadhar used to visit temples and
teach his younger siblings the principles of
religion.[7] He called both younger sisters
Sant Shiromani Acharya
"Akka" (elder sister). He was attentive and was
eager to undertake his studies. In his spare Shri Shri Shri 108
time he used to paint.[8]
Vidya Sagar
Ji Maharaj

Initiation
Vidyasagar was initiated as a Digambara
monk in 1968 at the age of 22 by Acharya
Gyansagarji Maharaj, who belonged to the
lineage of Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj, at
Ajmer.[9] His father MallappaJi, his mother
Personal
ShrimatiJi, and two sisters took diksha and
joined the sangha (community of the pious) of
Acharya DharmasagarJi.[10] All of his brothers, Born Vidyadhar
Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji, Mahavir
Ashtage ji followed him and were initiated by 10
Acharya Vidya Sagar Ji Maharaj as Muni Yog
Sagar Ji Maharaj and Samay Sagar Ji October
Maharaj, Muni Utkrastsh Sagar Ji Maharaj
respectively.[11] 1946
His younger brothers Muni Yog Sagar Ji
Maharaj and Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj took
Sadalga,
Bhramchrya Vrat and became Muni later.
Belgaum
His elder brother Mahavir Ashtage Ji was
married and continued the blood line,[12] but district, ,
more recently, in 2023, he also took diksha
from Acharya Shri and became Muni Utkarsh Karnataka
Sagarji Maharaj.
state
 Died 18 February
Ascetic life
2024
Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj made very
strict rules for his ascetic life. He never drank (aged 77)
milk. He also did not consume curd, green
vegetables and dry fruits. He also drank water Chandragiri,
only once a day by filling it with his finger. He
used to eat very limited quantity of plain dal Rajnandgaon
and roti. He travelled across the country on
foot.[13] district,
Chhattisgarh,
Acharya
India
Vidyasagar was elevated to the Acharya
Resting Chandragiri,
status in 1972.[14] The Acharya did not eat
salt, sugar, fruits, milk, oil, ghee, in addition to
what is traditionally prohibited (like onions).
place Dongargarh,
He went out for a meal at about 9:30 a.m.–
10:00 a.m. from Śrāvakas (lay votaries). He
India
took food once a day in the palm of his hand,
one morsel at a time.[15] Religion Jainism
Vidyasagar slept on the floor or a wooden
platform without any mattress or pillow. As a Parents Mallappa
Digambar monk, for discourses he was
provided a raised wooden seat withough any (name after
padding.

In 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari

diksha-
Vajpayee paid a visit to Acharya Shree during
his visit to Gomatgiri Indore.[16]
 Mallinath ji)
(father)
Shrimanti(na
after diksha-
Samaymati J
Inscription on a Parshvanath idol at
(mother)
Orchha mentioning the lineage of
Acharya Vidyasagar from Acharya
Shantisagar. He is termed anasakta Sect Digambara
yogi, jyeshtha, shreshtha, sant
shiromani

Notable Mukamati
Acharya Vidyasagarji's Chaturmas (four-month
stay) in 2016 was in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh,[17] where he was accompanied by 38
work(s) (silent
munis.[18] He gave his Pravachana (reading) in
the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly by
soil)
special invitation from Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chouhan on 28 July 2016.[19][20] In 2016, Religious career
during a trip to Bhopal, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi visited him.[21] He was also
visited by former Union minister Jyotiraditya
Predecessor Muni
Scindia from the opposing Congress Party,
now in BJP.[22] Gyansa
Congress State President Kamal Nath paid a
visit to Acharya Ji during his visit to
Disciples
Jabalpur.[23][24]
Pramansagar,
Union Minister Uma Bharati paid a visit to
Acharya Ji at the completion of 50 years of Sudhasagar,
initiation at the Samyama Swarna Mahotsav
festival.[25] During the Guru Purnima
Celebration in 2018, Digvijay Singh received Kshamasagar,
the blessings of Acharya Vidyasagar Ji in
Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.[26] In 2018, Guptisagar
American ambassador Kenneth Juster paid a
visit to Acharya Vidyasagar Ji and assured
Initiation 30 June
him he would follow a full vegetarian diet for
one day a week.[27] French diplomat Alexandre
1968
Ziegler visited Khajuraho with his family in
2018 and felt "peaceful and blessed" after
meeting Acharya Vidyasagar Ji. He vowed to
Ajmer
become a vegetarian.[28]
by
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
declared the State Guest Honour to Acharya
Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj. In this regard, the UP
Government also issued a protocol.[29] Gyansagar
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh Ji
took the blessings of Acharya Vidyasagar Ji in Website vidyasagar
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.[30]
.guru (http
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took the
blessings of Acharya Vidyasagar Ji with an
s://vidyas
assurance of Hindi Promotion in the
Legislature.[31]
agar.gur
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat paid a visit to
Acharya Ji during his visit he discussed u)
various topics related to Promotion of Hindi
Language and handloom were discussed.[32]

Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath paid a visit to Acharya Ji and assured the promotion of Hindi
Language, Ayurveda and handloom.[33]

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti retired from politics with the blessing of the Acharya Vidyasagar
Maharaj Ji”.[34][35]
On 4 November 2023, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him at Dongargarh to receive
his blessings.[36]

Samadhi (Death)
The Acharya gave up acharyahood and took sallekhana for three days and then attained
samadhi-marana on 18 February 2024, at the age of 77 at Chandragiri Teerth in Chhattisgarh's
Dongargarh.[37][38] He gave the Acharya title to Niryapak Muni Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj on 6
February 2024.

Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on the demise of Acharya Ji.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the countless devotees of Acharya
Shri 108 Vidhyasagar Ji Maharaj Ji. He will be remembered by the
coming generations for his invaluable contributions to society,
especially his efforts towards spiritual awakening among people, his
work towards poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and
more.."[39]

PM Modi also wrote a detailed article on the Acharya's impact on the society.[40]

At the BJP's National Convention 2024 in Delhi, PM Modi, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of
BJP-ruled states and BJP leaders observed a one-minute silence on the demise of the Acharya
and expressed their grief.[41]

The Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Governments declared a half-day state mourning upon
Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj's death.[42] The Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chief Minister
condoled his death.[43]
Works
Acharya VidyasagaraJi was a scholar of Sanskrit and Prakrit and knew several languages
including Hindi, Kannada, Marathi and English.[44] He wrote in languages such as Prakrit,
Sanskrit, and Hindi. His works include Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya
Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka.[45]

He composed nearly 700 haiku poems which are unpublished.[46][47][48]

He wrote the Hindi epic poem "Mukamati".[14][49] This has been included in the syllabus of Hindi
MA programmes at various institutions.[50] This has been translated into English by Lal Chandra
Jain and was presented to Pratibha Patil, the President of India.[49][51][52] Several researchers
have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees.[49]

He opened schools named Pratibhasthali Gyanodaya Vidhyapeeth for girls, where they can be
taught important life lessons along with studies.

His tradition
Acharya VidyasagarJi belongs to the tradition established by Acharya ShantisagarJi.[53] Acharya
ShantisagarJi initiated Acharya VirasagarJi, who was then succeeded by Acharya Shivsagar,
Acharya GyansagarJi[54] and finally Acharya VidyasagarJi.

Some of his disciples are well-known scholars in their own right. As of 2001, about 21% of all the
Digambar monks were under Acharya VidyasagarJi.[55] Muni SudhasagarJI and Muni
PramansagarJi are also his disciples.[56] One of his best known disciples, Muni Kshamasagar ji,
obtained samadhi in 2015.[57]

Acharya PushadantasagarJi, the guru of Muni Tarun Sagar Ji was initiated as a kshullak (junior
monk) by Acharya VidyasagarJi, although he took muni diksha from Acharya Vimal SagarJi .
Upadhyaya GuptisagarJi took muni diksha in 1982 from Acharya VidyasagarJi although he later
joined the sangha (community) of Acharya VidyanandJi.[58]
Acharya Vidyasagarji has been a source of inspiration to the people for founding institutions for
their welfare at different locations.[14] 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.[59] This insures that only a few monks or nuns are staying in one place.

Acharya Shree 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.[60]

His wanderings (Vihara)

Acharya Vidyasagar leading his

sangha during his vihara, passers-by
kneel in reverence

As a traditional Digambara Jain monk, Acharya Vidyasagarji never stayed in a single location for
more than a few days, except for the four months of the rainy season (Chaturmas). He never
declared where he would be next, although people tried to guess his next destination.[61][62] After
his initiation in 1968 he had: seven Chaturmas in Rajasthan (1968–74); one in Uttar Pradesh
(1974); seven in Madhya Pradesh (1976–1982); one in Jharkhand (1983); nine in Madhya
Pradesh again (1984–1992); two in Maharashtra (1993–94); one in Madhya Pradesh (1995); one
in Gujarat (1996); 11 again in Madhya Pradesh (1997–2007); one again in Maharashtra (2008);
and eight again in Madhya Pradesh (2009–2016).[63]

The fiftieth anniversary of his diksha was celebrated in many cities in India with parades and
festivities in July 2018.[64] On this occasion, commemorative columns (Swarna Kirti Stambha)
were erected in Ajmer,[65][66] Rewa,[67] Sravanbelgola and other locations.[68]
Biography
His disciple Muni Kshamasagar wrote his biography Ātmānveśhī (hi:आत्मान्वेषी) which was
translated into English as In Quest of the Self and was published by Bhartiya Jnanpith.[69]

In popular culture
A documentary titled Vidyoday was released on 25 November 2018 by Landmark Films.[70] A
trailer was also released. The film is directed by Vidhi Kasliwal.[71] Vidyoday had its first
international screening at the Harrow Safari Cinema in London.[72]

See also

Jain philosophy
List of Jains
Ahimsa in Jainism
References

Notes

1. Mishra, Neeraj (25 November 2002).

"Aggressive movement to revive Jainism
sweeps central India" (https://www.indiatod
ay.in/magazine/religion/story/20021125-ag
gressive-movement-to-revive-jainism-sweep
s-central-india-794269-2002-11-25) . India
Today. Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20180925025751/https://www.indiatod
ay.in/magazine/religion/story/20021125-ag
gressive-movement-to-revive-jainism-sweep
s-central-india-794269-2002-11-25) from
the original on 25 September 2018.
Retrieved 24 September 2018.
2. "कर्नाटक में जहां बचपन बिताया वह घर अब म्यूजियम,
पुनीत जैन, Dainik Bhaskar, Oct 20, 2021" (http
s://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/news/repo
rt-from-the-village-of-acharya-vidyasagar-12
9038807.html) . Archived (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20211126064202/https://ww
w.bhaskar.com/local/mp/news/report-from
-the-village-of-acharya-vidyasagar-1290388
07.html) from the original on 26 November
2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.

3. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 23, 35.

4. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 34-35.
5. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 37.
6. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 40.
7. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 41-42.
8. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 42.
 9. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 28.
10. Gita Jain 1978, pp. 8–14.
11. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 73.
12. "जब छिपकर विनोबा भावे को सुनने गए थे आचार्यश्री
विद्यासागर" (http://www.patrika.com/news/ja
balpur/when-acharya-vidyasagar-had-secret
ly-listen-to-vinoba-bhave-1317790) ,
Patrika, 8 June 2016, archived (https://web.
archive.org/web/20180514142120/https://
www.patrika.com/news/jabalpur/when-ach
arya-vidyasagar-had-secretly-listen-to-vinob
a-bhave-1317790/) from the original on 14
May 2018, retrieved 18 October 2016
13. "Ascetic Life" (https://www.bhaskar.com/je
evan-mantra/dharm/news/acharyashri-vidy
asagar-of-digambara-muni-tradition-took-sa
madhi-mahasamadhi-of-jain-saint-vidyasag
ar-ji-132603545.html) .

14. Natubhai Shah 1998, pp. 56–57.

15. "आचार्यश्री केआहारचर्या के लिए सजती हैं चौकियां,
जानें किन चीजों को देख छोड़ देते हैं खाना, Patrika,
2016-06-05" (http://www.patrika.com/new
s/damoh/amazing-rules-and-rituals-of-acha
rya-shri-vidhyasagar-ki-aharchariya-131534
3/) . 26 August 2014. Archived (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20170327235123/http://
www.patrika.com/news/damoh/amazing-ru
les-and-rituals-of-acharya-shri-vidhyasagar-
ki-aharchariya-1315343/) from the original
on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March
2017.
16. "Video : सन् 1999 में श्री अटल बिहारी वायपेयी जी
ने गोम्मटगिरि इंदौर में आचार्यश्री के दर्शन किए थे" (htt
p://www.vidyasagar.net/shri-atal-bihari-vay
payee-ji-had-visited-acharyashree-in-gomta
giri-indore/) . Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj |
Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pravachan | Jain
Religion in Hindi. Archived (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20190503090356/http://ww
w.vidyasagar.net/shri-atal-bihari-vaypayee-ji
-had-visited-acharyashree-in-gomtagiri-indo
re/) from the original on 3 May 2019.
Retrieved 3 May 2019.
17. "आचार्य विद्यासागर महाराज के प्रोग्राम में चार महिला
चोर गिरफ्तार, सात सोने की चैन जप्त" (http://naidu
nia.jagran.com/madhya-pradesh/bhopal-ac
harya-vidyasagar-thief-arrested-four-female
-chef-program-seized-seven-gold-chain-786
987) , Nai Duniya, 27 July 2016, archived (h
ttps://web.archive.org/web/201607281652
37/http://naidunia.jagran.com/madhya-pra
desh/bhopal-acharya-vidyasagar-thief-arres
ted-four-female-chef-program-seized-seven-
gold-chain-786987) from the original on 28
July 2016, retrieved 31 July 2016
18. "Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Sangh Parichaya
book 2016.pdf" (https://drive.google.com/fi
le/d/0B3kd0xm2NMXhUFc5YnZydWVyNFk/
view) . Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20170413235707/https://drive.google.c
om/file/d/0B3kd0xm2NMXhUFc5YnZydWV
yNFk/view) from the original on 13 April
2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
19. "देश के
इतिहास को बनाए रखने के लिए पक्ष-विपक्ष
साथ काम करें: आचार्यश्री" (http://www.patrika.c
om/news/bhopal/jain-saint-vidya-sagar-to-
give-spiritual-speech-in-mp-assembly-1360
946) , Rajasthan Patrika, 28 July 2016,
archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
60803205001/http://www.patrika.com/new
s/bhopal/jain-saint-vidya-sagar-to-give-spiri
tual-speech-in-mp-assembly-1360946/)
from the original on 3 August 2016,
retrieved 31 July 2016
20. "When Another Jain Monk Addressed A
State Legislative Assembly And There Was
No Controversy" (http://www.huffingtonpos
t.in/2016/08/29/when-another-jain-monk-a
ddressed-a-state-legislative-assembly-an) ,
The Huffington Post, 29 August 2016,
archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
60830162242/http://www.huffingtonpost.i
n/2016/08/29/when-another-jain-monk-add
ressed-a-state-legislative-assembly-an/)
from the original on 30 August 2016,
retrieved 31 August 2016
21. Ranjan (14 October 2016), Why is Modi
keen to meet Acharya Vidyasagar? (http://w
ww.hindustantimes.com/bhopal/why-is-mo
di-keen-to-meet-acharya-vidyasagar/story-3
ZbjQ5aVjnSy3NfrVQhUdK.html) , Bhopal:
HindustanTimes, archived (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20161017172340/http://www.
hindustantimes.com/bhopal/why-is-modi-k
een-to-meet-acharya-vidyasagar/story-3Zbj
Q5aVjnSy3NfrVQhUdK.html) from the
original on 17 October 2016, retrieved
17 October 2016
22. "Scindia makes up his mind to lead
Congress in state, Sep 29, 2016" (http://ww
w.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/scindia-make
s-up-his-mind-to-lead-congress-in-state/941
057) . Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20161028084044/http://www.freepressjo
urnal.in/bhopal/scindia-makes-up-his-mind-
to-lead-congress-in-state/941057) from
the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved
28 October 2016.
23. "खजुराहो में आचार्य विद्यासागर महाराज से आर्शीवाद
लेने पहुंचे कमलनाथ, जबलपुर पहुंचे कांग्रेसजन news
in hindi" (https://web.archive.org/web/2019
0503090422/http://www.palpalindia.com/2
018/08/01/jabalpur-mp-Khajuraho-Acharya-
Vidyasagar-Maharaj-Arishwad-Kamal-Nath-
Hindi-Ashoshagaye-Goshala-news-in-hindi-
248694.html) . palpalindia (in Hindi).
Archived from the original (http://www.palp
alindia.com/2018/08/01/jabalpur-mp-Khaju
raho-Acharya-Vidyasagar-Maharaj-Arishwad
-Kamal-Nath-Hindi-Ashoshagaye-Goshala-n
ews-in-hindi-248694.html) on 3 May 2019.
Retrieved 3 May 2019.
24. "प्रदेश कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष कमलनाथ करेंगे आचार्यश्री के
दर्शन" (http://www.vidyasagar.net/kamalnath
-acharyashri-darshan/) . Vidyasagar Ji
Maharaj | Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj Pravachan
| Jain Religion in Hindi. Archived (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20181011190548/http://
www.vidyasagar.net/kamalnath-acharyashri
-darshan/) from the original on 11 October
2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
25. "कें द्रीय मंत्री उमाभारती ने आचार्य विद्यासागर महाराज
से खजुराहो में चातुर्मास करने का आग्रह किया" (http
s://www.bhaskar.com/mp/sagar/news/late
st-khajuraho-news-041003-2232493.html) .
Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20181204005731/htt
ps://www.bhaskar.com/mp/sagar/news/lat
est-khajuraho-news-041003-2232493.htm
l) from the original on 4 December 2018.
Retrieved 3 December 2018.
26. "दिग्विजय सिंह ने गुरुपूर्णिमा पर आचार्य विद्यासागर
जी से लिया आशीर्वाद" (https://www.patrika.co
m/chhatarpur-news/digvijay-singh-blesses-
acharya-vidyasagarji-gurupurnima-317004
4/) . patrika.com (in Hindi). 28 July 2018.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
90503105256/https://www.patrika.com/ch
hatarpur-news/digvijay-singh-blesses-achar
ya-vidyasagarji-gurupurnima-3170044/)
from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved
3 May 2019.
27. "आचार्य विद्यासागर से प्रभावित हुए अमेरिकी राजदूत
जस्टर; कहा- हफ्ते में एक दिन रहूंगा शाकाहारी" (http
s://www.bhaskar.com/mp/bhopal/news/a
merican-ambassador-junkie-influenced-by-a
charya-vidyasagar-5926529.html) . Dainik
Bhaskar (in Hindi). Archived (https://web.ar
chive.org/web/20181204005700/https://w
ww.bhaskar.com/mp/bhopal/news/americ
an-ambassador-junkie-influenced-by-achary
a-vidyasagar-5926529.html) from the
original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved
3 December 2018.
28. "French diplomat vows to turn vegetarian
after meeting Jain muni - Times of India" (h
ttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/fr
ench-diplomat-vows-to-turn-veggie-after-me
eting-jain-muni/articleshow/66397413.cm
s) . The Times of India. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20201109025032/http
s://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/frenc
h-diplomat-vows-to-turn-veggie-after-meetin
g-jain-muni/articleshow/66397413.cms)
from the original on 9 November 2020.
Retrieved 29 October 2018.
29. "आचार्य विद्यासागर जी महाराज को राजकीय अतिथि
सम्मान, मुख्यमंत्री ने की घोषणा" (https://www.patr
ika.com/lalitpur-news/acharya-vidyasagar-ji
-will-be-honoured-with-rajkiya-atithi-samma
n-3727424/) . patrika.com (in Hindi).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
81126004003/https://www.patrika.com/lali
tpur-news/acharya-vidyasagar-ji-will-be-hon
oured-with-rajkiya-atithi-samman-372742
4/) from the original on 26 November
2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
30. Singh, Chowkidar Rajnath (21 April 2019).
"मध्य प्रदेश के
चुनावी दौरे की व्यस्तताओं के बीच मुझे
आज जैन मुनि, आचार्यश्री विद्यासागरजी महाराज के
दर्शन का सौभाग्य मिला। आचार्यश्री के चरणों में
कोटिश: नमन!pic.twitter.com/j4c5wPTn4N" (h
ttps://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/111
9921007605760000) . @rajnathsingh (in
Hindi). Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20190605150900/https://twitter.com/ra
jnathsingh/status/111992100760576000
0) from the original on 5 June 2019.
Retrieved 22 April 2019.
31. "लोकसभा अध्यक्ष से बोले आचार्य विद्यासागर : संसद
में हिंदी का उपयोग हो अपने देश को इंडिया नहीं भारत
बोलें" (https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pr
adesh/dewas-acharya-vidyasagar-told-the-s
peaker-of-lok-sabha-hindi-should-be-used-in
-parliament-speak-bharat-not-india-312118
4) . Nai Dunia (in Hindi). 29 August 2019.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
91025172329/https://www.naidunia.com/
madhya-pradesh/dewas-acharya-vidyasaga
r-told-the-speaker-of-lok-sabha-hindi-should
-be-used-in-parliament-speak-bharat-not-ind
ia-3121184) from the original on 25
October 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
32. Tiwari, Rajeev kumar (8 January 2020). "संघ
प्रमुख भागवत ने आचार्य विद्यासागर से आशीर्वाद
लिया, हथकरघा और हिंदी भाषा के संबंध में चर्चा की"
(https://www.bhaskar.com/mp/indore/new
s/mohan-bhagwat-meets-digambara-jain-ac
harya-vidyasagar-in-indore-lavkush-vidya-vi
har-school-126459015.html) . Dainik
Bhaskar (in Hindi). Archived (https://web.ar
chive.org/web/20200422151333/https://w
ww.bhaskar.com/mp/indore/news/mohan-
bhagwat-meets-digambara-jain-acharya-vid
yasagar-in-indore-lavkush-vidya-vihar-schoo
l-126459015.html) from the original on 22
April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
33. "सीएम कमलनाथ से बोले आचार्य विद्यासागर
हथकरघा और आयुर्वेद को प्रोत्साहन की आवश्यकता"
(https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-prades
h/indore-acharya-vidyasagar-spoke-to-cm-k
amal-nath-handloom-and-ayurveda-need-en
couragement-5288951) . Nai Dunia (in
Hindi). 26 January 2020. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20200127165739/htt
ps://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/i
ndore-acharya-vidyasagar-spoke-to-cm-kam
al-nath-handloom-and-ayurveda-need-enco
uragement-5288951) from the original on
27 January 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
34. Bureau, ABP News (6 November 2022).
" 'Call Me Didi Maa': BJP's Uma Bharti Hints
Retirement From Politics In Twitter Thread"
(https://news.abplive.com/news/india/call-
me-didi-maa-bjp-s-uma-bharti-hints-retirem
ent-from-politics-in-twitter-thread-156173
7) . news.abplive.com. Retrieved
18 February 2024.

35. "BJP Leader Uma Bharti RENOUNCES

family, will now be known as DIDI MAA -
Read the full story HERE" (https://zeenews.i
ndia.com/india/bjp-leader-uma-bharti-renou
nces-family-will-now-be-known-as-didi-maa-
read-the-full-story-here-2531242.html) . Zee
News. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
36. PM Modi Visits Dongargarh In Poll-Bound
Chhattisgarh, Meets Acharya Vidyasagar
Maharaj (https://www.outlookindia.com/na
tional/pm-modi-visits-dongargarh-in-poll-bo
und-chhattisgarh-meets-acharya-vidyasaga
r-maharaj-news-328851)

37. "Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj

passes through 'sallekhna', PM Modi offers
condolences" (https://timesofindia.indiatim
es.com/india/jain-seer-acharya-vidyasagar-
maharaj-passes-through-sallekhna-pm-mod
i-offers-condolences/articleshow/1077911
70.cms) . The Times of India. 18 February
2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
38. जैन मुनि आचार्य विद्यासागर महाराज ने समाधि
ली:डोंगरगढ़ के चन्द्रगिरि तीर्थ में 3 दिन उपवास के बाद
शरीर त्यागा, पिछले साल Prime Minister Modi
मिलने पहुंचे थे, Bhaskar, Feb 18, 2024 (https://
www.bhaskar.com/local/chhattisgarh/raipu
r/news/acharyashri-vidyasagar-of-digamba
ra-muni-tradition-took-samadhi-132602875.
html)

39. "On Twitter (X)" (https://x.com/narendramo

di/status/1759075293988352293?s=20) .
40. PM Narendra Modi writes on Sant
Shiromani Acharya Vidhyasagar Maharaj:
Loss of a guiding light, Indian Express,
February 21, 2024 (https://indianexpress.co
m/article/opinion/columns/pm-narendra-m
odi-writes-on-sant-shiromani-acharya-vidhy
asagar-maharaj-loss-of-a-guiding-light-9171
952/)
41. "Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj
passes through 'sallekhna', PM Modi offers
condolences" (https://timesofindia.indiatim
es.com/india/jain-seer-acharya-vidyasagar-
maharaj-passes-through-sallekhna-pm-mod
i-offers-condolences/articleshow/1077911
70.cms) . The Times of India. 18 February
2024. ISSN 0971-8257 (https://www.worldc
at.org/issn/0971-8257) . Retrieved
18 February 2024.
42. Today, Telangana (18 February 2024).
"Chhattisgarh govt declares half-day state
mourning on passing away of Acharya
Vidyasagar Maharaj" (https://telanganatoda
y.com/chhattisgarh-govt-declares-half-day-
state-mourning-on-passing-away-of-achary
a-vidhyasagar-maharaj) . Telangana Today.
Retrieved 18 February 2024.

43. "UP governor CM condole death of Jain

seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj" (https://
www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/20
24/02/18/nrg8-up-jain-seer-adityanath.htm
l) . The Week. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

44. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 26.

45. Ek Tapahput kavi ki kavya Sadhna, Asha
Malaiya, Tirthankar, Nov-Dec 78, p. 21-24
46. "Haiku Poems by Acharya Vidyasagar Ji" (h
ttps://in.pinterest.com/vidyasagar_guru/hai
ku-poems-by-acharya-vidyasagar-ji/) .
Pinterest. Retrieved 2 November 2018.

47. "हायकू " (http://www.vidyasagar.net/haiku-17

265/) . Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj | Vidyasagar
Ji Maharaj Pravachan | Jain Religion in
Hindi. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20180807091030/http://www.vidyasagar.
net/haiku-17265/) from the original on 7
August 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
48. "हायकू स्वाध्याय - आचार्य श्री के हायकू और आपकी
समझ - मेरे गुरुवर... आचार्य विद्यासागर जी महाराज"
(https://vidyasagar.guru/haiku/) . मेरे गुरुवर...
आचार्य विद्यासागर जी महाराज. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20181204005632/htt
ps://vidyasagar.guru/haiku/) from the
original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved
2 November 2018.

49. "Acharya Vidyasagar's book "Silent Earth"

presented to President" (http://news.webin
dia123.com/news/articles/India/2011061
5/1772295.html) , Web India 123, 15 June
2011, archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20140714163303/http://news.webindia1
23.com/news/articles/India/20110615/177
2295.html) from the original on 14 July
2014, retrieved 12 December 2012
50. "बीयू के सिलेबस में जैन ग्रंथ 'मूकमाटी' को किया
शामिल" (http://www.bhaskar.com/news/MP
c-58-1943771-NOR.html) , Dainik Bhaskar,
24 May 2013, archived (https://web.archive.
org/web/20160308234934/http://www.bha
skar.com/news/MPc-58-1943771-NOR.htm
l) from the original on 8 March 2016,
retrieved 31 July 2016

51. "Acharya Vidyasagar's Book "Silent Earth"

Presented To President" (http://jainworld.co
m/GJE.asp?id=54) , jainworld.com,
archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
50316143001/http://jainworld.com/GJE.as
p?id=54) from the original on 16 March
2015, retrieved 10 March 2015

52. Vidyasagar 2010.

53. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 51.
54. "इस संत के जीवत रहते स्टूडेंट कर रहे हैं इन पर PHD,
जानें क्या है इनकी खूबी" (http://m.bhaskar.com/
news/c-58-3193036-bp0851-NOR.html) ,
Dainik Bhaskar, 17 October 2016, archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/2016102821
5045/http://m.bhaskar.com/news/c-58-319
3036-bp0851-NOR.html) from the original
on 28 October 2016, retrieved 28 October
2016

55. Flügel 2006, p. 356.

56. "Jain Muni Pramansagar ji Maharaj disciple
of Acharya Vidyasagar ji" (http://timesofindi
a.indiatimes.com/home/Jain-Muni-Praman
sagar-ji-Maharaj-disciple-of-Acharya-Vidyas
agar-ji-Maharaj-would-discourse-on-Ramay
ana-and-Geeta-at-the-local-Zila-school-grou
nd-from-November-7-to-11-The-four-day-pro
gramme-being-organised-by-Vishwa-Dharm
a-Jagaran-Manch-is-expected-to-garner-hug
e-crowd-in-wake-of-the-popularity-that-Mah
araj-has-gained-while-giving-similar-discour
se-in-other-cities-of-the-country-/articlesho
w/6823669.cms) , The Times of India, 27
October 2010, archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20190413075941/https://times
ofindia.indiatimes.com/home/Jain-Muni-Pr
amansagar-ji-Maharaj-disciple-of-Acharya-V
 idyasagar-ji-Maharaj-would-discourse-on-Ra
mayana-and-Geeta-at-the-local-Zila-school-
ground-from-November-7-to-11-The-four-da
y-programme-being-organised-by-Vishwa-D
harma-Jagaran-Manch-is-expected-to-garne
r-huge-crowd-in-wake-of-the-popularity-that-
Maharaj-has-gained-while-giving-similar-dis
course-in-other-cities-of-the-country-/article
show/6823669.cms) from the original on
13 April 2019, retrieved 12 December 2012

57. [वर्णीभवन मोराजी में मुनिश्री क्षमासागर महाराज का

समाधिमरण, Patrika, 2015-03-13]
58. "The Invincible Ascetic Aacharya Shri
Vidyasagar" (https://vidyasagar.guru/article
s.html/jeewan-parichay/the-invincible-ascet
ie-aacharya-shri-vidyasagar/) . मेरे गुरुवर...
आचार्य श्री विद्यासागर जी महाराज. Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/2018120500332
8/https://vidyasagar.guru/articles.html/jee
wan-parichay/the-invincible-ascetie-aachar
ya-shri-vidyasagar/) from the original on 5
December 2018. Retrieved 4 December
2018.
59. "शिष्य गण – चातुर्मास 2009" (https://web.archi
ve.org/web/20170426162029/http://www.v
idyasagar.net/acharyashri/89-2/shishyagan
-chaturmas-2009/) . Archived from the
original (http://www.vidyasagar.net/acharya
shri/89-2/shishyagan-chaturmas-2009/)
on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
60. "बनेगा अनूठा रिकॉर्ड:विद्यासागर महाराज देश के पहले
ऐसे आचार्यश्री जिन्होंने अब तक 505 दीक्षाएं दीं, दूसरे
नंबर पर कु न्थु सागर महाराज" (https://www.bhas
kar.com/local/mp/sagar/damoh/news/vidy
asagar-maharaj-is-the-first-such-acharyashr
i-of-the-country-who-has-given-505-initiatio
ns-so-far-kunthu-sagar-maharaj-at-number-t
wo-129406826.html) [Unique record will
be created: Vidyasagar Maharaj is the first
such Acharyashri of the country who has
given 505 initiations so far, Kunthu Sagar
Maharaj is at number two] (in Hindi).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202
20511120651/https://www.bhaskar.com/lo
cal/mp/sagar/damoh/news/vidyasagar-ma
haraj-is-the-first-such-acharyashri-of-the-co
untry-who-has-given-505-initiations-so-far-k
 unthu-sagar-maharaj-at-number-two-12940
6826.html) from the original on 11 May
2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.

61. "दयोदय गौशाला पहुंचे आचार्यश्री, होली पर दिया यह

संदेश, Patrika, 3/13/2017" (http://www.patrik
a.com/news/jabalpur/latest-story-of-achary
a-shri-vidyasagar-maharaj-in-jabalpur-1529
939/) . 24 March 2017. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20170327182031/htt
p://www.patrika.com/news/jabalpur/latest-
story-of-acharya-shri-vidyasagar-maharaj-in
-jabalpur-1529939/) from the original on
27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
62. "आचार्य विद्यासागर जी का ससंघ प्रवेश आज,
Bhaskar News Network, Jul 15, 2016" (htt
p://www.bhaskar.com/news/MP-VID-MAT-l
atest-vidisha-news-053003-559509-NOR.ht
ml) . Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20170327171300/http://www.bhaskar.co
m/news/MP-VID-MAT-latest-vidisha-news-0
53003-559509-NOR.html) from the original
on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March
2017.
63. "आचार्यश्री जी के चातुर्मास, September 28, 2017"
(https://vidyasagar.guru/articles.html/jeew
an-parichay/acharya-shri-ji-ke-chaturma
s/) . Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20190214174320/https://vidyasagar.gur
u/articles.html/jeewan-parichay/acharya-sh
ri-ji-ke-chaturmas/) from the original on 14
February 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2019.

64. Vidyasagar Maharaj showed us the right

path, say Jain devotees, TNN Jun 29, 2017
(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/n
agpur/vidyasagar-maharaj-showed-us-the-ri
ght-path-say-jain-devotees/articleshow/593
60144.cms)
65. "अजमेर को मिला 71 फीट ऊं चा कीर्ति स्तंभ, Danik
Bhaskar, Jul 01, 2018" (https://www.bhaska
r.com/rajasthan/ajmer/news/latest-ajmer-n
ews-041003-2095046.html) . Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/2018092601431
1/https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/ajm
er/news/latest-ajmer-news-041003-209504
6.html) from the original on 26 September
2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.

66. संयम स्वर्ण कीर्ति स्तम्भ : Amazing Architecture :

Jain Temple In Ajmer, Rajasthan India, Jun
28, 2018 (https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=APfoLpMUZrg)
67. "Jain Samaj Founded 21 feet high sanyam
kirti stambh in Rewa" (https://www.patrika.
com/rewa-news/jain-samaj-founded-21-fee
t-high-sanyam-kirti-stambh-in-rewa-212122
9/) . 19 December 2017. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20180925025518/htt
ps://www.patrika.com/rewa-news/jain-sam
aj-founded-21-feet-high-sanyam-kirti-stamb
h-in-rewa-2121229/) from the original on
25 September 2018. Retrieved
24 September 2018.
68. "आचार्य विद्यासागर के
संयम स्वर्ण जयंती महोत्सव के
समापन पर कार्यक्रम 13 से, Danik Bhaskar | 12
Jul 2018" (https://www.bhaskar.com/rajast
han/kishangarh/news/latest-kishangarh-ne
ws-045503-2172013.html) . Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/2018092503114
7/https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/kish
angarh/news/latest-kishangarh-news-0455
03-2172013.html) from the original on 25
September 2018. Retrieved 24 September
2018.

69. Kshamasagar 2007, p. 4.

70. LandmarcFilms (22 September 2018),
Vidyoday | Acharya Vidyasagar | Teaser 04 |
Documentary | Landmarc Films (https://ww
w.youtube.com/watch?v=V9XhyY2ei50) ,
archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201
91109194411/https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=V9XhyY2ei50&gl=US&hl=en) from
the original on 9 November 2019, retrieved
1 November 2018

71. Vidyoday (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt90

44540/) , retrieved 1 November 2018
72. "Vidhi Kasliwal on Instagram: "LONDON
calling! So excited about our first
international screening!! Looking forward to
the feedback!! #Vidyoday
#AcharyaVidyasagar…" " (https://ghostarchi
ve.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BrZ0Flihf7k) .
Instagram. Archived from the original (http
s://www.instagram.com/p/BrZ0Flihf7k/)
on 24 December 2021. Retrieved
17 December 2018.

Sources

Flügel, Peter (2006), Studies in Jaina History

and Culture: Disputes and Dialogues (https://b
ooks.google.com/books?id=U2cDn8bNbXA
C) , Routledge, ISBN 978-0-203-00853-9
Jain, Gita (1978), Acharya Vidyasagar
 Kshamasagar (2007), In Quest of Self : The
life story of Acharya Shri Vidyasagar (https://b
ooks.google.com/books?id=MSieVNwsAAI
C) , Delhi: Bhartiya Jnanpith, ISBN 978-81-
263-1166-8
Shah, Natubhai (1998), Jainism: The World of
Conquerors, vol. I and II, Sussex: Sussex
Academy Press, ISBN 1-898723-30-3
Vidyasagar, Acharya (2010), Lal Chandra Jain
(ed.), The Silent Earth [Mūkamāṭī], Moortidevi
Granthamala: English Series No. 22, New
Delhi: Bharatiya Jnanpith, ISBN 978-81-263-
1875-9
Live streaming of cremation ceremony (https://www.youtube.com/live/maR0r9Q1WqE?si=wsvm0
vzIBvAtd1Xb)
Further reading

Mācave, Prabhākara; Rāmamūrti,

Tripāṭhī, Mūkamāṭī-Mīmāṃsā (in Hindi),
vol. 1, 2 & 3, Bhartiya Jnanpith

External links

Official website (http Wikimedia

Commons
s://vidyasagar.guru)
has media
Official android app (htt related to
Vidyasagar
ps://play.google.com/s (Jain
tore/apps/details?id=c monk).

om.app.vidyasagar&hl=en)

Retrieved from
"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?
title=Acharya_Vidyasagar&oldid=1210216262"

This page was last edited on 25 February 2024, at

15:04 (UTC). •
Content is available under CC BY-SA 4.0 unless
otherwise noted.