Obituary: The light has gone out

[Peace]

Obituary: The light has gone out
(from my diary)
Jai Adibhagwan
Birth name: Siva. Adinathan
Place of birth: Valathi, South Arcot District
Date of sallekhana (death): 07 March 2009
A shining star in the sky of Tamil Jains has disappeared leaving a big
hole. None can fill this vacuum. Today, Kshullak Pulavar Siva Adisagar
Ji truly left for heavenly abode during his brief but most sincere
sallekhana practice. Brahmachari Rakesh Ji reached all the way from
Jabalpur and initiated him to this antim yatra.
He was dear to all both Jains and non-Jains. True Munis including the
most reverred Acharyashri Vidyasagar Ji regarded him well.
I knew him since July 1974. I just passed out of M.Sc from IIT,
Chennai. I was fortunately unemployed for some six months; fortunate,
because I could spend hours together almost daily in the evenings at
his then residence in Triplicane. I had, thanks to my scholarly
father, known few technical details of Jain dharma. He just passed out
his Tamil degree in flying colours. He pursued this degree despite
being in active government service in forest department. His love for
Jain dharma sprouted as never before. His initiation to classical
Tamil literature might have catalysed it. He used to tell me that he
was ardent fan of Periyar and used to join in his rationalist movement
shouting “There is no God; A fool invented the God” etc.
What a transformation. Like a child, he used to ask questions and seek
answers on all aspects of religion. He respected my father as a pupil
would do.
From 1974 to 1984, I could see him grow stronger and stronger
spiritually. This growth was symbiotic. He was the founder editor of
the now popular Tamil Jain magazine “Mukkudai” (= three-tired
umbrella). It is now running in its 35th year.
(He initiated me to write in it. He gave a pen name to me “Arugan
Adiyaan” (=Jinadasan). From 1975 to 1978, every month my translation
on Sripuranam appeared regularly. I moved to Bangalore, faded away
from writing with my moving away from Tamil Nadu to Delhi. But his
well-wishes for me never waned).
During this period (1974-1981), Jain Youth Forum (JYF) brought out
many good books. He was the editor of most of them. I cherish his work
on Arungalacheppu (=Tamil classic on Ratnakarantaka Srvakachar),
Narivruttam etc. (My maiden article appeared in a book Tirukkuralum
Ariviyalum. I was the youngest author in that book.) JYF has grown
into an important and long-serving organisation of Tamil Jains.
He alongwith Thiru VC Sreepalan and some other JYF members then
focused on building Acharya Kund Kund Educational Foundation (AKKEF)
in Ponnur hills, the samadhi bhumi of Acharya Kundkund. He took
voluntary retirement from service even though his son was not yet
settled and lived in the jungles of Ponnur hills and worked on
creating spiritual life. AKKEF ran a gurukul for deserving Jain
children. Some of them are now occupying respected positions in the
society. Old manuscripts were brought from temples after temples and
given herbal treatment for longer preservation and sent back. My
father lived most of the times in AKKEF despite my request to stay
longer with me. His old pal Thiru Dhanapal Nainar too moved with him
and both contributed in reviving traditional Jain dharma among the
Jains both young and old. I used to visit him and spend few days in
the company of my beloved “brother” Adinathan Ji. Among the books that
were published from AKKEF has been Padartha saram, the treatise on
Jain dharma in 30 chapters. This shastra was written by Acharya shri
Maghanandi. My salutations to Pulavar and ARangurum Annai Tirumati
Rajalakshmi Jinakumar for an excellent contribution. I was in the
teaching staff for one the Philosophical workshops which were regular
annual events. I remember it vividly as it happened at the time of
assassination of Rajiv Gandhi near to this place. AKKEF is one of the
towering religious institutions at now Known Township called Kunda
Kunda Nagar. He parted away from AKKEF on ideological grounds.
Meanwhile, kshullak Ji immensely benefitted with his unstinted service
to Sallekhana-driven Munishri Gajapati sagar Ji. He served him in
attaining peaceful and blissful sallekhana. Kshullak Ji learnt the
charitra kriya from Aryika Vijaymati mataji

His last innings was in the building of Shri Vishaka Acharya
Taponilayam. The samavasaran beckons the call of deserving souls.
Munishri Arjavasagar Ji possibly reached Tamil Nadu from M. P. in such
circumstances. Synergy between these two pious and determined mumukshu
saw the flourishing of this institution. Attractive Bh. Ajitnath
temple, impressive statue of Bh. Bahubali, Acharya Vidyasagar goshala
and so on would greet you. The gurukul is open for all children
irrespective of caste and religion. The journal Srutakevali is only
magazine which has the high benchmark in Jain philosophy. In his
absence, I pray such high standards are maintained. Kshullak Ji
brought out several works of Acharya Kunda Kunda in chaste Tamil
commentary. I would rate Tirunootrantadi as one of the most
significant contribution. Arungalacheppu was reinvented by the
spiritual kshullak Ji. I was given the opportunity of anchoring the
Pancha kalyanak pratishtha mahotsva of this fabulous temple. In the
year 2000, I was again invited for a religious conference.
The preparation of last journey of Kshullak Ji began with his vow to
fast 1000 times on alternate days continuously. On upawas days he used
to observe vow of silence only to break for religious discussion. My
limited attempt in 1998-2000 with weekly fasts led to the onset of
immuno-syndrome chronic ailment. Since then I have discontinued this
practice. So I was always concerned about his health. I used to always
warn him of his physical health. He used to dismiss my concern. He was
made of different substance.
On 27th Feb 2009, I was in Chennai. I suggested to Tiru K. V. Ajitadas
Ji that I would like to visit Ponnur Hills and keen to pay my
salutations to Brahmachari “brother” Ji sahib (he was respectfully
known as Ji sah’b). Then I came to know of his deteriorating health
and that he was camping in Chennai. He has developed respiratory
trouble so much so that he found it difficult to walk a few steps.
Speaking was a hard labour for him. He could not spend more than ten
minutes in his once a day dieting regime. We both met him next day. He
spoke for 90 mins in spite of our request not to labour.
Unfortunately, that was the last time he spoke at length, I am told.
He never claimed authorship for any act in the last 20 years. One
would not see his photo from any event. The district collector would
meet him and seek his advice. He was highly hospitable, affectionate
and a great host. His service to Dev, shastra and Guru were
phenomenal. His guru mantra has been precious to me “Tambi, Swadyay is
only for you”
I returned to Delhi with heavy heart but was enquiring about him from
time to time. All these days I was praying for his strength so that he
could observe sallekhana.
His 35 years tapasya did not go waste. He wrote his future in immortal
words; that is sat+lekahana..
He was a great institution builder. The institutions he was involved
are JYF, AKKEF and Sri Vishaka Acharya taponilayam which are all
flourishing. He started three magazines viz Mukkudai, Arugan Tattvam
and Sruta Kevali. He has written and edited over 25 books, not to
mention the innumerable articles. He has propagated true Jain dharma.
His wife is an aryika. Several Jains have rediscovered the true
meaning of dharma. To my mind, he was the shining star in Tamil Jain
world after Muni Gajapati sagar Ji. Alas, the Tamil Jains are poorer
today. I know, he is enjoying his time in heaven waiting his turn for
sooner salvation. His blessings would guide us all.
His life is an example of metamorphosis of humble status to Mahatma.
My vandana to this great soul.
Jai Shri Kshullak Adisagar Ji.
Jayatu Jinashasanam

[Peace]

Jai Jinendra
His life epitomises the Tirukkural no. 50:http://www.geocities.com/
dr_sidd_x/KURAL/ADHI/adhi_5.html