22.The Rains of Stimulus

Chapter-22

The Rains of Stimulus
Achharya Shanti Sagar Ji Maharaj was stationed in a temple of Shaupuri in Kolhapur. ‘Panch-kalyanak’ celebrations were being performed. Minister of Kolhapur (Deewan Ji) was a Digambar Jain named A.B. Latthe who had earned a good repu­tation in Maharashtra province. The king of Kolhapur also had a great respect for him.

Child marriage was intensely rampant, a hundred years ago. Jain community was not untouched from this social evil. Achharya Shri had a vision for community reformation and he considered this custom as an injustice and a curse to the child mind. The rate of child death was also higher at that time. The girl used to be called a widow at the death of the boy although she still remained immature by wisdom. She was called a widow even before she could understand the meaning of marriage.

Shravaks requested Achharya Shri that as there was in­cantation-like supernatural power in his faculty of speech, he should kindly adopt some sound measure for eradicating this so­cial evil (custom) of the community. Achharya Shri kept mum at that time.

One day Latthe Sahib sat near him after offering his Namostoo (paying regards) at his feet. Achharya Shri sensed the suitability of time. Bestowing his blessings upon Deewan Sahib, he said, “You must have earned enough virtues in your previous birth by which you are occupying such an honorable post. You are enjoying much respect in other provinces as well.” Dewait Latthe Sahib replied courteously “Maharaj Shri! I request to In- informed of any suitable service for me.” Maharaj Slut leplted. “The impropriety of child marriage is intensely inin|i<iiti You should try to promulgate anti-child marriage law It will make your human birth meaningful. It should not In- delayed " I teewanception of Achharya Shri in his heart. He offered his Namostoo in acceptance of the advice and stood up promising to accomplish this job as soon aś possible. Latthe Sahib reached the palace of the king of Kolahapur. The king was at rest that time. Still he came out be­cause of the unexpected arrival of Deewan Ji and asked his well­being. Latthe Sahib, while paying appropriate respects, told him cour­teously - “Achharya Maharaj, our respected Guru has asked me, with his blessings, to enact anti-child marriage Act in the state.” The king was much delighted to see the devotion of Latthe sahib towards his Guru and said, “Deewan Ji, you draft the law. I shall put my signa­ture and impress the royal seal on it and shall execute it publishing in the Government Gazette’ ’-Deewan Ji prepared the draft of the law and the next mom-jing, the King of Kolhapur promulgated that Law in the State of Kolhapīur by ratifying it.

In the afternoon a well decorated government horse-rider came to Achharya Shri carrying a paper in his hand. People were astonished to see this government official coming to Achharya Shri riding on a royal horse. The armoured horse-rider paid his respectful greetings to Achharya Shri and tendered one royal sealed envelope to him. All the people were perplexed to see the government letter in a sealed envelope that had come to Achharya Shri. The envelope was opened in the presence of Achharya Shri and the letter was read out.

It was informed in that letter that the state of Kolhapur, had enacted an anti-child marriage law. Knowing this, a gleam of immense happiness appeared on the face of Achharya Shri. How pervading and auspicious had been the insight of this universal reformer Achharya Shri for cleansing the society.

Truly speaking, the originator of the above law was the Achharya Shri, whose original thinking had impressed the King of Kolhapur and he happily ordered Deewan Ji to prepare and promulgate the above law in the State.

TVip caint ic u rofArmpr nf fhp capipIv an/4 ii/nrlfc €r\r ite well-being. He can’t remain indifferent to the society. He raises his voice against orthodox conventions, customs and evil tradi­tions of the society, and his voice contains the power and strength of the whole community and the public at large.

In a similar context, Achharya Vidya Sagar Ji Maharaj, observing destruction of ‘cow-pedigree’ at the advent of Twenty First century, has strongly and powerfully opposed/ been oppos­ing slaughter houses made with modem technology that are be­ing established on the Indian soil. Compassionate heart of Achharya Shri moved hearing the shrieks of the mute cattle and now he is protecting the cow-pedigree, which is on the verge of destruction, by establishing hundreds of cattle-stalls (byre) ev­erywhere through his blċssings to the community.