Gyansagar

Acharya Shri 108 Gyansagar Ji Maharaj
Image of digambar acharya (head of the monastic order)
Religion	Jainism
Sect	Digambara
Personal
Born	Bhooramal Chhabda 1891
Died	1 June 1973 Nasirabad, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Parents	Chaturbhuj (father) Ghritbhari Devi (mother)
Senior posting
Predecessor	Acharya Shivsagar
Successor	Acharya Vidyasagar
Religious career
Ascetics initiated	Acharya Vidyasagar
Initiation as Muni	1959 Khaniya ji, Jaipur by Acharya Shivsagar
Initiation as Kshullak	Gyanbhushan by Acharya Veersagar

Acharya Jnansagar or Gyansagar (Hindi: आचार्य ज्ञानसागर) was a Digambara Jain Acharya of 20th century who composed many Sanskrit epics. He initiated Acharya Vidyasagar in 1968 as a monk and 1972 as an Acharya.^[1]

Biography

He was born as Bhooramal Chhabda (Hindi: भूरामल छाबड़ा). His father was Chaturbhuj and mother Ghritbhari devi. He was second of five brothers (Chhaganlal being the eldest and Gangaprasad, Gaurilal and Devdatt being the younger brothers).

After completing primary studies in his village, he further studied Sanskrit and swadwad in Banaras at the famous Syadvad Mahavidyalaya founded by Ganeshprasad Varni. He was initiated a kshullak (Junior monk) by Acharya Veersagar who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar. He was then named kshullak Gyanbhusan. He remained a kshullak for 2 years and 2 more years as Ailak before becoming a Muni (Full monk).

He was initiated a monk by Acharya Shivsagar who also belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagar, in Khaniya ji, Jaipur in 1959. He was further elevated to the Acharya status in 1968 at Naseerabad, Rajasthan.

He died on June 1, 1973 in Naseerabad.^[2][3]

Works

As an expert in Sanskrit, he had been a great composer in Sanskrit. At least 30 researchers have studied his works and were honored doctoral degrees. At least 300 scholars have presented research papers on his work.
His works includes 4 Sanskrit epics and 3 more Jain Granthas and that too in the time when the Sanskrit composition was almost obsolete. These creations have always surprised the modern Sanskrit scholars.^[4]

Stamp

An official Government of India stamp in his memory was issues by minister Sachin Pilot on September 10, 2013 at Kishangarh Rajasthan.^[5][6] He thus became the fist Digambar Jain Acharya to have a stamp released in his memory.

Tradition

He belongs to the tradition established by Acharya Shantisagar:

1. Acharya Shantisagar
2. Acharya Virsagar
3. Acharya Shivsagar
4. Acharya Gyansagar
5. Acharya Vidyasagar (present leader)

References

1. इस संत के जीवत रहते स्टूडेंट कर रहे हैं इन पर PHD, जानें क्या है इनकी खूबी Dainik Bhaskar, Oct 17, 2016
2. http://www.vidyasagar.net/acharyashri/gurujan1.htm
3. आचार्य ज्ञानसागर महाराज का समाधि दिवस मनाया Bhaskar News Network, Jun 06, 2016
4. http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/jharkhand/4_8_4511099_1.html
5. Postage stamp on Acharya Gyansagar released, Press Trust of India, Ajmer, September 10, 2013
6. प्रथम दिगम्बर जैन संत जिन पर हुआ डाकटिकिट जारी Edited By Rajneesh K Jha on बुधवार, 11 सितंबर 2013