Acharya Samrat Dr. Shiv Muni Ji – A Pious Soul By Savita Jain

Savita Jain is a multi-talented individual who has dedicated herself to the community through many volunteer activities locally, nationally, and internationally. She volunteers her time to teach the proper pronunciation and meaning of Jain sutras to students all around the world and has taught over 60 adults and 25 kids more than 18 sutras. She is humbled, and considers herself very fortunate to be able to write about the exemplary life of Pujya Shri Acharya Samrat ji

Dr. Shiv Kumar, popularly known and reverentially addressed by the Jain followers as the Acharya Samrat Dr. Shiv Muni Ji Maharajsaheb, the spiritual head of the Jains, is a pious soul whose inner piety and goodness gets reflected in the divine resplendence on his face.

Early Years

Born in Punjab in 1942 in an affluent and respected Oswal family to his mother, Vidhya Devi, and father, Chiranjiv Lal Ji, he was the middle of 7 children. He grew up learning about Jainism from his parents and grandparents. At the young age of seven, during a visit to his maternal grandparents, he met Upadhyay Pravartak Parampujya Shri FulchandJi Maharajsaheb and under his guidance learned Samayik and Pratikraman. He was always eager to serve Sadhu-Sadhvis in any way he could. It was then that the seed of diksha was planted in his mind at such a young age.

From his early years, he would often wonder “What kind of meditation Bhagwan Mahavir Swami had engaged in that allowed him to connect with his soul to such a great extent?”

Student Life – Punjab to USA and Back

He did his Master’s in Philosophy from Punjab University, and Master’s in English Literature from J.V. Jain College, Saharanpur. His education, however, could not satiate his hunger for truth. Rather the acquisition of higher academic knowledge further intensified his desire for high spiritual knowledge. During his student life, he visited various countries including America, Canada, England, Switzerland, and several others. His family was sure that he would change, and perhaps even give up on the idea of taking Diksha. However, the material comforts and wealth he saw abroad failed to tempt and bind him. Upon returning home, he began living as a Sadhu in his own home, and firmly but respectfully declined getting into the institution of marriage.

Diksha and Yuvacharya

He entered the sadhu-jeevan on 17th May 1972 as a disciple of Gyan Muni Ji, a well-known Jain scholar. All along the question about Bhagwan Mahavir’s method of meditation never left his mind. To further gain insight into this question, he began an intensive study of Jain philosophy and theology. He completed his Ph.D. on the topic “Doctrine of Liberation in Indian Religions, with special reference to Jainism.” Later, he completed his D.Litt. on “Concept And Practice of Meditation among Indian Religions, especially Jainism.”

Within a few years, he started delivering sermons to Jain tenets throughout India. He was welcomed and liked by the people for his personal piety and simplicity. It was during this sojourn that the Sraman Sangh selected him as its first Yuva Acharya in 1987 at a conclave at Pune, Maharashtra. He was also given permission to teach Shravaks and Shravikas Dhyan-Sadhana (meditation).

While enhancing his knowledge of the Jain religion, he also vowed to do Varshitap - and has continued doing so ceaselessly for the past 35 years.

Becoming Acharya

On 9th June 1999, he was declared Acharya, the spiritual head of the Sraman Sangh, and leader of more than 1200 sadhus and sadhvis and millions of followers. On the day of declaration, at Lal Kila, New Delhi, it had seemed like the entire Delhi population from Sadhus and Sadhvis to politicians to everyday people had come out to see him become an Acharya.

Searching for Truth through Dhyan Sadhana (Meditation)

Even while fulfilling his duties as Acharya, he never lost sight of his main guiding purpose meditation. He invented 5 vidhis:

1) Prarthana Dhyan 2) Sohum Dhyan 3) Kohum Dhyan 4) Yoga Nidra 5) Me aur Mera

These vidhis provide a framework for meditation for us all. Details of these vidhis are found on Jainacharya.org.

Under his guidance, a Dhyan Sadhana Kendra has been constructed near Nasik. Thousands of people visit this site each day and experience the lifechanging impacts of these types of Dhyan. Meditation awakens the inner potential of the people for fulfillment, bringing forth an effortless, joyous, and ecstatic life.

Today, due to Acharya Ji’s tireless efforts, the Sraman Sangh has 1400 Sadhus and Sadhvis, who are advancing Bhagwan Mahavir’s teachings in today’s modern world. At the age of 80 years old, he is continuing to follow Dhyan Sadhna, Dharma Aradhna, and Varshitap Sadhana. Whoever comes close to him experiences a feeling of instant calm in the face of his sheer tranquility. With utmost respect and gratitude, we wish for Pujya Maharajsaheb's long life and wish that he finds the ultimate truth that he has spent years searching.

References:

https://jainacharya.org/