Gyanmati

Ganini Pramukha Aryika Shri Gyanmati
Religion	Jainism
Sect	Digambara Bispanthi
Personal
Born	Kumari Maina Devi Ji 19 October 1934[1] Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh
Parents	Sh. Chotteylal Ji (father) Smt. Mohini Devi Ji (mother)
Religious career
Initiation	02 October 1952 (Sharad Purnima) Shri Mahavirji by Acharya Deshbhushan
Website	www.jambudweep.org

Ganini Pramukha Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji (Sanskrit Āryikā Jñānamati Hindi: आर्यिका श्री ज्ञानमति) is considered as an iconic Jain nun, known for undertaking several projects related to Jainism.^[2] The Ganini Pramukh Āryikā is considered as the legendary figure reflecting the true spirit of Jainism among the disciples. She is also eminent for construction of the Jain temples representing Jain cosmology models at Jambudweep, Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh, which were supported by former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.^[3] The inauguration of the Jain temples was attended by the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, N. D. Tiwari.^[4]

Early age

Mataji addressing the media

Born as the first child of Mohini Devi and Chotelal Jain on 22 October 1934 at Tikait Nagar in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh,^[5] Maina was deeply influenced by "Padmanandi Panchvinshatika" an ancient jain scripture which was gifted to her mother during her marriage by her grandparents. Reading and reviewing the same developed a strong desire to further share study and spread the noble concept of Ahimsa (Non Violence) as described in Jainism. At the tender age of 18 exactly on auspicious day of Sharad Purnima 1952, she decided to dedicate herself in preaching and practicing this religiously and vowed of lifelong Celibacy following the Seven Pratimas as Brahmacharini under the guidance of Acharya Deshbhushan ji Maharaj.

Education

Being the eldest in her family might have developed her ability to learn, share, and take initiatives. Similarly, Padmanandi Panchvinshatika might have played an important role in developing her quest for knowledge. Since her early childhood she started learning Sanskrit with Katantra Roopmala generally referred as Aindra School of Grammar. She continued to research and explore with some of the eminent Jain literature like Gommatsar, Ashtasahasri, Tattvartha Vartika (Rajvartika), Moolachar, Triloksar, Samayasāra etc. and soon expertise in Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati etc. Deeply into research and learning she frequently consulted to some of the senior most Acharyas, Scholars and Jain monks. Sharing and presenting her findings with fellow disciples have groomed her as an important lecturer and public speaker.^[6]

Author

She practiced her skills with writing 1008 Mantras of "Sahastranam" which improved her ability. She is considered as the first Kshullika or a Jain Sadhvi in history to translate and author several Jain literature, scriptures and manuscripts.^[7] She was able to surprise the whole world in the year 1969 by translating Nyaya-Ashtasahasri a renowned Sanskrit scripture into Hindi. Since then, she had written and composed more than 250 different publications ranging from auspicious Quotes & thoughts to books & volumes. She have written and published 14 major books including the first two available in both Hindi and Sanskrit translations.^[6] She has also composed the Sanskrit Teeka (commentary) of the Sutras in form of sixteen books of Shatkhandagam Grantha.^[8][9] She has composed a modern Rite for the Five Merus.^[10]

Initiation as Kshullika

Almost after an year of observation and guidance, Acharya Deshbhushan elevated and initiated the first Brahmacharini of the 20th century Kumari Maina as Kshullika Veermati mataji on Chaitra Krishna Ekam of 1953 at Shri Mahavirji Atishaya Kshetra in Rajasthan.

Initiation as Aryika

On the instructions of Acharya Shantisagar she was elevated as Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji by Acharya Veersagar on Vaishakh Krishna Dooj of 1956 at Madhorajpura in Rajasthan.^[5]

Chaturmas / Varshayog

She practiced her initial chaturmas or varshayoga as Kshullika Veermati Mataji at the following places.

1. Tikait Nagar Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh 1953
2. Jaipur Rajasthan 1954
3. Mhaswad Maharashtra 1955

She continued practicing her chaturmas after her elevation as Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji by Acharya Veersagar ji Maharaj in 1956.

1. Jaipur (Khaniya) 1956
2. Jaipur (Khaniya) 1957
3. Beawar Rajasthan 1958
4. Ajmer Rajasthan 1959
5. Sujangarh Rajasthan 1960
6. Sikar Rajasthan 1961
7. Ladnun Rajasthan 1962
8. Calcutta West Bengal 1963
9. Hyderabad Andhra pradesh 1964
10. Shravanbelgola Karnataka 1965
11. Solapur Maharashtra 1966
12. Sanawad Madhya Pradesh 1967
13. Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan 1968
14. Jaipur Rajasthan 1969
15. Tonk Rajasthan 1970
16. Ajmer Rajasthan 1971
17. Delhi (Pahari Dhiraj) 1972
18. Delhi (Najafgarh) 1973
19. Delhi Lal Mandir 1974
20. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1975
21. Khatauli Muzaffarnagar district 1976
22. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1977
23. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1978
24. Delhi (Mori Gate) 1979
25. Delhi (Kucha Seth) 1980
26. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1981
27. Delhi (Kammoji Dharmashala) 1982
28. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1983
29. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1984
30. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1985
31. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1986
32. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1987
33. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1988
34. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1989
35. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1990
36. Sardhana Meerut Uttar Pradesh 1991
37. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1992
38. Ayodhya 1993
39. Tikait Nagar Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh 1994
40. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1995
41. Mangi-Tungi Siddha kshetra Maharashtra 1996
42. Delhi Lal Mandir 1997
43. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1998
44. Delhi Cannaught Place 1999
45. Delhi (Preet Vihar) 2000
46. Delhi (Ashok Vihar) 2001
47. Prayag Tirth 2002
48. Kundalpur Nalanda Bihar 2003
49. Kundalpur Nalanda Bihar 2004
50. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2005
51. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2006
52. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2007
53. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2008
54. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2009
55. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2010
56. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2011
57. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2012
58. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2013
59. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2014
60. Mangi-Tungi Siddha kshetra Maharashtra 2015

Achievements

Statue of Ahimsa, Mangi-Tungi, Maharashtra

• Laid the foundation of Digambar Jain Institute of Cosmographic Research in 1972 with an aim of constructing a monumental model of Jambudvipa to have better understanding of Jain Cosmology.
• Her dream was realized with inauguration of ‘Jambudweep Gyan Jyoti’ at Delhi in 1982 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.^[11]
• In the year 1992 she approached the highest level of authorities including PMO, HRD and Director of NCERT to correct an text book teaching that Lord Mahavira is the founder of Jainism instead of Lord Rishabha Deva.
• She was awarded honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Avadh University, Faizabad^[12] on 5 February 1995 for her outstanding contributions in the field of Literature.
• Bhagwan Rishabhdev Samavsaran Shrivihar was consecrated after the tour of the whole India in April 1998 at Kevalgyan Kalyanak temple of Deeksha Tirth-Prayag at Delhi by then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Organised International Vice-Chancellors Conference to present and share the facts and findings and basis of Jainism and its studies at Hastinapur on 8 October 1998.^[13]
• Ganini Pramukh was able to avert a major violent protest into a peaceful demonstration due to circulation of a film promotional poster morphed on picturesque monument of Lord Bahubali at Shravanabelagola on social media.^[14]
• The 31 ft statue of Lord Vasupujya at Champapur, Bhagalpur was the built under the guidance of Ganini Pramukh. The Panch Kalyanak Mahotsav was held in February–March 2014.
• Ganini Pramukh was the main inspiration behind the 108 ft statue of Lord Rishabnath at Mangi-Tungi, the tallest Jain statue in the world. This statue holds the Guinness world record for the tallest Jain Idol. The certificate was awarded to Ganini Gyanmati Mataji, Chandnamati Mataji and Swami Ravindrakirtiji on 6 March 2016.^[15] The Panch Kalyanak Mahotsav was held from 11–17 February 2016.

Notes

1. Hans Bakker 2011, p. 182.
2. Yoga in Jainism
3. Asian Religions, Technology and Science
4. The History of Sacred Places in India As Reflected in Traditional Literature
5. Historical Dictionary of Jainism
6. The History of Sacred Places in India As Reflected in Traditional Literature
7. Religion and Women
8. Jinaagam Saar
9. Read Online Books
10. Cort 2010, p. 98.
11. "Jambudweep Complex". Jain Heritage Centres - Celebrating Jain Heritage.....Globally!.
12. "Welcome To Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University".
13. "tribuneindia... Nation".
14. "Jains protest doctored PK poster with Bahubali image". The Times of India.
15. "108-Ft Tall Jain Teerthankar Idol Enters 'Guinness Records'", NDTV, 7 March 2016

References

• Hans Bakker, ed. (1990), The History of Sacred Places in India As Reflected in Traditional Literature: Papers on Pilgrimage in South Asia, BRILL, ISBN 90-04-09318-4
• Cort, John (2010) [1953], Framing the Jina: Narratives of Icons and Idols in Jain History, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-538502-1
• http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-world-s-tallest-idol-of-jain-teerthankar-lord-rishabhdeva-to-be-sanctified-2176519
• http://m.timesofindia.com/city/nashik/CM-takes-aerial-view-of-108-ft-idol/articleshow/51020562.cms