Section: Devotion
Section Editor: Dr. Pravin L Shah
Shri Anandghanji Maharaj – A Master of Devotional Spirituality Dr. Pravin L. Shah, Reading, PA
YOGIRAJ ANANDGHANJI (1600-1682 A.D.) During the last two thousand years, we have been blessed with significant contributions to Jain philosophy and culture by many eminent Acharyas including Acharya Umaswati, Kundkund, Pujayapad, Samant Bhadra, Siddhasen, Haribhadra, Amrutchandra, Hemchnadra, Yashovijayji Upadhayay, Yogiraj Anandghanji and Shrimad Rajchandra. While Jain literature has been highly enriched by the epic writings of each of the above Jain Masters, it is accurate to state that the major credit for introducing Jain Bhakti-yoga or spiritual devotional path in Jain religion goes to Anandghanji who lived the life of a great yogi some three hundred and fifty years ago. It is believed that Anandghanji lived approximately 125 years after Mira Bai and they both were born in small village, Medta, in Rajasthan, during the time of Mogul emperor Shahjahan and Aurangzeb. As we know, while Anandghanji was a great Adhyatma-Yogi, his contemporary Yashovijayji was equally eminent Gnan-Yogi who composed more than 108 scriptures and Yashovijayji considered Anandghanji as his spiritual teacher after they both met in person. Two examples of his life among many, illustrate his character and talent. Once he stayed in an upashray near the house of a well off shravak (nagarsheth) in a small village in Rajasthan. It was a common practice that any monk visiting and staying in this upashray was to follow the rules made by this nagarsheth and any lectures given by a monk could only start after the nagarsheth had arrived. One day Anandghanji started his lecture before the nagarsheth arrived. After the lecture, Nagarsheth reminded Anandghanji “I provide you with residence, food and clothes, and you should have waited for me to start the lecture”. Without getting upset Anandghanji took off the clothes and said “I have already consumed the food you gave me; but here are your clothes.” He then went into forest and composed a poem based on this experience that teaches us about detachment; “Asha Auran Ki Kya Keeje” (One should not have any expectations from others). The second example is very important in Jain history. Once when Upadhayay Yashovijayji was giving a lecture in a town in Gujarat many people came to attend the talk. At the far end of the hall, an old person was sitting with a blanket and looking constantly at Yashovijayji. A miracle happened at that time when Yashovijayji somehow figured out that the old man with the blanket must be Anandghanji. He had heard a lot of praise about him. So he wanted to meet him personally after his talk was over. However, Anandghanji left Yashovijayji before he could meet him. Yashovijayji went out to search for him and, after many hours of search, found Anandghanji meditating in a forest under a tree. Yashovijaji was overjoyed to meet this great Master. Anandghanji knew that Yashovijayji had gone to Kashi to study philosophy for 10 years. So he asked Yashovijayji if could recite the first verse of Das-Vaikalik sutra. Yashovijayji recited this famous first verse promptly: Dhammo Mangal Utkrustam, Ahinsa Sayamo Tavo; Deva vi tum namasante, Jas Dhame saya mano. Then Anandghanji asked Yashovijayji to explain the meaning of this verse and he explained that ahimsa, sanyam and tap were three pillars of Vitrag religion and one who practiced these three attributes whole heartedly was worshiped by angels and devas. Anandghanji told him to provide more in-depth meaning of the verse but Yashovijayji could not elaborate any more after half an hour. Thereafter Anandghanji explained the meaning of the verse for next 72 hours and during his narration Yahsovijayji’s ego of his scholarship melted away completely, and he cried in reverence to him. He bowed down to Anandghanji and accepted him as his master (Sadguru).
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