Acharya Shree 108 Vidyasagarji Maharaj
Many years ago, on the glazed night of Sharad Purnima, a radiant soul that could outshine the brilliance of the moonlight emerged from the vermilion womb of the east and descended on this land of Bharat, a land of Sages, Ascetics, and non-violence. That soul is none other than our revered Aacharya Shri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, who is revered by Jains and non-Jains alike, conqueror of sensory pleasures, and proponent of the path to salvation. Born on October 10, 1946, in Sadalga, Karnataka, in the household of Shri Mallappa Ashtage and Smt. Shrimanti. Despite being the second child among their six children, he was second to none.
Aacharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, 9th grader in Kannada language, truly lives up to his name and virtues, excelling in both worldly and spiritual knowledge. Proficient in Kannada, Hindi, English, Marathi, Sanskrit, and Prakrit, he is a scholar of spirituality and scriptures, and possesses a thorough knowledge of various worldly subjects such as Philosophy, Ethics, History, Geography, Science,Medicines and Mathematics.
By nature, he is gentle, speaks pleasantly and beneficially, is a savior of living beings, a worshiper of Digambar asceticism, a pride of Jainism, and a tireless wayfarer on the path of spirituality and enlightenment. The young Vidyadhar began his endless journey of renunciation with the vow of celibacy at the holy site of ChulGiri in Rajasthan and took the vows of the seventh stage of vow from Deshbhushan Ji Maharaj on the sacred land of Shravanabelagola in Karnataka.
Yearning for liberation, firmly detached, and intensely eager to practice asceticism, this eagerness of Brahmachari Vidyadhar was quenched when he received monkhood from Munishri 108 Gyansagar Ji Maharaj on the holy land of Ajmer, becoming a permanent member of the path to redemption.
Brahmachari Vidyadhar became Munishri 108 Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj. Now, the earth was his bed, the sky his canopy, and the flanks his clothing. This unbound ascetic tirelessly worked day and night to untie all knots of worldly attachments. Simultaneously, he devoted himself to the continuous service of his aged and ailing Guru. His immense desire and dedication for knowledge turned Kannada speaker into a scholar of Sanskrit and Prakrit texts. Impressed by his dedication, humility, selflessness, and service, Acharya Gyansagar Ji Maharaj considered bestowing the title of Acharya upon him. When he expressed this intention, Munishri, detached from worldly titles, initially refused. However, Gyansagar Ji, with a compassionate heart, requested this as a testimonial, saying, “You must ensure this aged Guru attains a faultless Sallekhana (ritual fast unto death), so accept the position of Aacharya.” Understanding the graciousness of his Guru’s command, Vidyasagar Ji reluctantly accepted this order and diligently served his Guru, overseeing his Sallekhana with utmost dedication. After the Guru’s reminisce, Munishri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj remained a solitary ascetic. However, the words “Turn the Sangha (congregation) into a Gurukul ” inspired him deeply. Keeping his Guru’s image in his heart, he embarked on the unceasing journey on the path to absolution alone. Since then, he has been relentlessly engaged in his practice, maintaining rigorous discipline for himself while showing boundless compassion and kindness towards others. Whether in the harshness of cold, heat, or rain, his meditation continues uninterrupted. His ascetic practice, tempered in the flames of hard work, humility, discipline, restraint, and renunciation, flows continuously with the spirit of following his Guru’s command and the welfare of all beings.