Mahashraman

Acharya Mahashraman (IAST: Ācārya Mahāśramaṇa; born 13 May 1962) is the eleventh Acharya, supreme head of Jain Śvētāmbara Terapanth sect.

Mahashraman ji heads all activities functioning under Terapanth organisation, most notably Anuvrat, Preksha Meditation, Jeevan Vigyan (Science Of Living).

All the Terapanth sub-organisations, notably.

Jain Vishva Bharati, Terapanth Mahasabha, etc. are working under the guidance of Acharya Shri Mahashraman.

His views are liberal and secular.

He has a firm conviction to promote nonviolence, moral values and principles.

In Rajasthan, Acharya Shree Mahashraman Ji was born on 13-May 1962 (Vaisakha Shukla navami) i.e. 13-May 1962 in Sardarshahar, Churu.

His real name is Mohan Dugar.

His parents were Nemadevi and Jhumarmalji.

He was the seventh child among his eight siblings.

He lost his father at the early age of seven.

An unexpected emptiness entered the family.

The absence of his father was made up by his mother's love and affection.

She taught him good moral values and gave him a good education.

As a result, he was inclined towards spirituality and religion.[8][9]

With passage of time, he started getting detached from the material world and started moving towards spirituality.

One day, he expressed his feelings to his mother.

Mother explained him about this path and said "Oh son! You have chosen the best path, but this path is full of thorns. It is not like enjoying sweet delicious dish, it is a herculean task. It is like chewing iron seed with wax teeth. Before talking about initiation, practice penance and test yourself. Be careful."

In spite of knowing that it is a difficult path, he did not change his mind.

His feeling of detachment increased day by day.

As time passed, he expressed his feelings before Acharya Tulsi.

At that time Acharya Tulsi was in Delhi to celebrate 2500 years of Tirthankar Mahavira's Nirvana Kalyanaka.

Acharya Shri found him capable for initiation and after due investigation, he approved for his initiation in Sardarsahar by Muni Sumermalji.

At the age of 12, he was initiated by Muni Sumermalji on Sunday on V.S. 2031 Vaishaka Shukla Chaturdashi i.e. 5 May 1974.

His entire life changed after initiation not only externally but also internally.

Study of scriptures and practice of meditation became a part of his life.

At that time, his daily routine was to refrain from unnecessary talk and to memorize sutras like a machine.

He avoided all sorts of deviations and loved being alone.

During study period, he learnt various languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, Hindi and English.

Sometimes he stayed with Gurudev and at times had an independent journey too.

He continued to stay with Gurudev from Bidasar Maryada Mahotsav, i.e., from Vikram Samvat 2040.

Ganadhipathi Gurudev Tulsi was an extraordinary personality.

He recognised his capabilities, wanted him to progress and succeeded in making him an outstanding muni and a highly talented personality.

In Vikram Samvat 2042 (1986 A.D.) Maagh shukla saptami (16 February 1986), on the occasion of Maryada Mahotsav in Udaipur, Acharya Tulsi asked him to assist Yuvacharya Mahapragya in his internal works.

On 10 May 2022(Vaisakh Shukla Navami),His 60th Birthday (Shashtipurti) was grandly celebrated at his birth place, Sardarshahar.On this auspicious occasion he was entitled as 'Yugpradhan'.

In the year Vikram Samvat 2043 Vaishakha Shukla Chaturthi (14 May 1986), on the eve of Akshaya Tritiya, he became group leader in Beawar.

"In the year 2046 Bhaadrav Shukla Navami (9th of September 1989), he was appointed as Mahashraman in "Yogakshema Varsha" (keeping knowledge ever expanding). This post was newly inaugurated. He was highly acclaimed after the post of Yuvacharya. In the process of Vikaas Yatra, Mahashraman had proceeded with four independent yatras. The first yatra was completed in the year 1990 from February to March which started from Ladnun, Sardarshahar via Dungargarh and ended at Chhoti Khatu.

The second independent movement started in the year 1990 from November to December, after Pali Chaaturmas.

This Yatra started in Sivaanchi Maalaani and was completed on Sojat road via Rani station on 10 January 1991.

After completion of his yatra, Gurudev Tulsi instructed that if he was found leading a luxurious life, he should do meditation for three long hours in standing posture.