Gyanmati

Ganini Pramukha Aryika Shri Gyanmati
Gyanmati Mataji
Religion Jainism
Sect Digambara
Bispanthi
Personal
Born Kumari Maina Devi Ji
(1934-10-19) 19 October 1934[1]
Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh
Parents
  • Sh. Chotteylal Ji (father)
  • Smt. Mohini Devi Ji (mother)
Religious career
Initiation 02 October 1952 (Sharad Purnima)
Shri Mahavirji
by Acharya Deshbhushan
Website www.jambudweep.org

Ganini Pramukha Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji (Sanskrit Āryikā Jñānamati Hindi: आर्यिका श्री ज्ञानमति) is considered as an iconic Jain nun, known for undertaking several projects related to Jainism.[2] The Ganini Pramukh Āryikā is considered as the legendary figure reflecting the true spirit of Jainism among the disciples. She is also eminent for construction of the Jain temples representing Jain cosmology models at Jambudweep, Hastinapur, Uttar Pradesh, which were supported by former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.[3] The inauguration of the Jain temples was attended by the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, N. D. Tiwari.[4]

Early age

Mataji addressing the media

Born as the first child of Mohini Devi and Chotelal Jain on 22 October 1934 at Tikait Nagar in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh,[5] Maina was deeply influenced by "Padmanandi Panchvinshatika" an ancient jain scripture which was gifted to her mother during her marriage by her grandparents. Reading and reviewing the same developed a strong desire to further share study and spread the noble concept of Ahimsa (Non Violence) as described in Jainism. At the tender age of 18 exactly on auspicious day of Sharad Purnima 1952, she decided to dedicate herself in preaching and practicing this religiously and vowed of lifelong Celibacy following the Seven Pratimas as Brahmacharini under the guidance of Acharya Deshbhushan ji Maharaj.

Education

Being the eldest in her family might have developed her ability to learn, share, and take initiatives. Similarly, Padmanandi Panchvinshatika might have played an important role in developing her quest for knowledge. Since her early childhood she started learning Sanskrit with Katantra Roopmala generally referred as Aindra School of Grammar. She continued to research and explore with some of the eminent Jain literature like Gommatsar, Ashtasahasri, Tattvartha Vartika (Rajvartika), Moolachar, Triloksar, Samayasāra etc. and soon expertise in Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati etc. Deeply into research and learning she frequently consulted to some of the senior most Acharyas, Scholars and Jain monks. Sharing and presenting her findings with fellow disciples have groomed her as an important lecturer and public speaker.[6]

Author

She practiced her skills with writing 1008 Mantras of "Sahastranam" which improved her ability. She is considered as the first Kshullika or a Jain Sadhvi in history to translate and author several Jain literature, scriptures and manuscripts.[7] She was able to surprise the whole world in the year 1969 by translating Nyaya-Ashtasahasri a renowned Sanskrit scripture into Hindi. Since then, she had written and composed more than 250 different publications ranging from auspicious Quotes & thoughts to books & volumes. She have written and published 14 major books including the first two available in both Hindi and Sanskrit translations.[6] She has also composed the Sanskrit Teeka (commentary) of the Sutras in form of sixteen books of Shatkhandagam Grantha.[8][9] She has composed a modern Rite for the Five Merus.[10]

Initiation as Kshullika

Almost after an year of observation and guidance, Acharya Deshbhushan elevated and initiated the first Brahmacharini of the 20th century Kumari Maina as Kshullika Veermati mataji on Chaitra Krishna Ekam of 1953 at Shri Mahavirji Atishaya Kshetra in Rajasthan.

Initiation as Aryika

On the instructions of Acharya Shantisagar she was elevated as Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji by Acharya Veersagar on Vaishakh Krishna Dooj of 1956 at Madhorajpura in Rajasthan.[5]

Chaturmas / Varshayog

She practiced her initial chaturmas or varshayoga as Kshullika Veermati Mataji at the following places.

  1. Tikait Nagar Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh 1953
  2. Jaipur Rajasthan 1954
  3. Mhaswad Maharashtra 1955

She continued practicing her chaturmas after her elevation as Aryika Shri Gyanmati Mataji by Acharya Veersagar ji Maharaj in 1956.

  1. Jaipur (Khaniya) 1956
  2. Jaipur (Khaniya) 1957
  3. Beawar Rajasthan 1958
  4. Ajmer Rajasthan 1959
  5. Sujangarh Rajasthan 1960
  6. Sikar Rajasthan 1961
  7. Ladnun Rajasthan 1962
  8. Calcutta West Bengal 1963
  9. Hyderabad Andhra pradesh 1964
  10. Shravanbelgola Karnataka 1965
  11. Solapur Maharashtra 1966
  12. Sanawad Madhya Pradesh 1967
  13. Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan 1968
  14. Jaipur Rajasthan 1969
  15. Tonk Rajasthan 1970
  16. Ajmer Rajasthan 1971
  17. Delhi (Pahari Dhiraj) 1972
  18. Delhi (Najafgarh) 1973
  19. Delhi Lal Mandir 1974
  20. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1975
  21. Khatauli Muzaffarnagar district 1976
  22. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1977
  23. Hastinapur (Old Temple) 1978
  24. Delhi (Mori Gate) 1979
  25. Delhi (Kucha Seth) 1980
  26. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1981
  27. Delhi (Kammoji Dharmashala) 1982
  28. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1983
  29. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1984
  30. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1985
  31. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1986
  32. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1987
  33. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1988
  34. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1989
  35. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1990
  36. Sardhana Meerut Uttar Pradesh 1991
  37. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1992
  38. Ayodhya 1993
  39. Tikait Nagar Barabanki district Uttar Pradesh 1994
  40. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1995
  41. Mangi-Tungi Siddha kshetra Maharashtra 1996
  42. Delhi Lal Mandir 1997
  43. Hastinapur Jambudweep 1998
  44. Delhi Cannaught Place 1999
  45. Delhi (Preet Vihar) 2000
  46. Delhi (Ashok Vihar) 2001
  47. Prayag Tirth 2002
  48. Kundalpur Nalanda Bihar 2003
  49. Kundalpur Nalanda Bihar 2004
  50. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2005
  51. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2006
  52. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2007
  53. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2008
  54. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2009
  55. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2010
  56. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2011
  57. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2012
  58. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2013
  59. Hastinapur Jambudweep 2014
  60. Mangi-Tungi Siddha kshetra Maharashtra 2015

Achievements

Notes

References

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