Bahenshri
Champaben is known for her dedication and devotion to the path shown
by Gurudev Kanji Swami. Such examples of Guru-bhakti are rare in the
age in which we live. Born on August 7. 1914, Bahenshri Champaben,
also addressed as Bhagwatimat by her followers, had had Jatismarangnan,
a realisation of ones own past lives, On
Chaitra Vad 8th day of V.S. 1993 (1936 AD).
She had
already experienced oneness with her soul and attained Samyak Darshan.
She eventually informed Kanji Swami that she had been present with him
in Mahavideha during his then birth as a prince and that they had both
listened to Simandhar Swami expounding the true doctrine to
KundKundacharya during his stay of eight days, as a result of which
the latter returned and composed the Samaysar, the 'Essence of the
Doctrine'.
In token
of the veracity of this, she gave a full account of Simandhar Swami's
Samosaran, an elaborate
reconstruction of which based on this description can be seen at
Songadh. Bahenshree Champaben made an even more startling claim, after
the death of Gurudev in 1980, when she stated that he would be reborn
as a fordmaker called Suryakirti in the continent of Dhatakikhanda.
One of
Champaben's famous quotation is:
"Hey
soul! If you do not enjoy being anywhere then change your knowing
activity and take an interest in your soul. It is likeable within the
soul. The soul is filled with happiness; you will definitely like it
there. There is no enjoyable place in the universe but it is
definitely enjoyable in the soul and only in the soul. So take an
interest in your soul."
She attained moksha on May 12, 1990.
A Humble devotee Pt. Kailash Chandji Jain
Pt.
Kailash Chandji is a well known Jain Scholar and a devoted follower of
Gurudev Kanji Swami. Throughout his life, he has been dedicatedly
working for the cause of Jainism and non-violence. Originally from
Bulandshahar, Pt. Jain has played a major role in spreading
Gurudevshri's message to the masses in India and abroad. At the age of
83, he is still making an active contribution to the Jain dharma in
every possible way.
Born at
village Tikri under Saradhana Tahsil in the Meerut district, Panditji
is the guiding force behind Shri Adinath Kund-kund Kahan Digambar
Jain Trust, which taken the task of 'Mangalayatan's development in
its hands. Pt. Jain is the Chief Patron of the trust. He had also been
instrumental in the berth of Shri Kund-kund Kahan
Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir, Dehradun, in 1989. This is the only
institution in Uttar Pradesh which is completely dedicated to
Gurudershri Kanji Swami and Champaben.
He has
treasured the memories of Gurudevshri for the last 42 years. Whenever
he talks about Gurudev, he becomes emotional and tears start rolling
down his eyes. Every Jain knows him as the one who has been addressing
Gurudevshri as 'a great soul who has turned Bharat-kshetra into
Videh-kshetra and Pancham-kal into Chautha-kal.' He also says that
Gurudevshri will be remembered as a Tirthankar by the generations to
come. 'Mangalayatan' is a long cherished dream for him. Let's hope
that his dream will come true in the very near future.
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