Shravanabelagola, February 13, 2006: Amidst dharmic fervour and a public display of the rigours of Jain way of life, Thirty six Jains, including 13 women, were initiated as monks today amidst Dharmic fervour at the Panchakalyana Mantapa in the presence of Acharyas, Arikas, Shravanabelagola Pontiff Swasthishri Karmayogi Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and the Bhattarakas of Moodabidri and Kanakagiri.
This was one of the biggest ever turnout for initiation during the Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations. The initiation ceremony of the 36 that began early at 4.30 a.m and progressed well into the noon with managalasnana and keshalonchana, the manual plucking of the hair in full media glare, before the participants were initiated to various stages of a monk’s life. The tough rigours of becoming a Jain monk was felt acutely by the packed thousands watching the proceedings when the flowing four to five feet long wavy hair locks of Brahmacharini Rani Jain Chatarpur was plucked away by the Arikas after the Brahmacharini sought the permission of the packed gathering to become a monk.
At the ceremony, two women were initiated as Brahmacharini, while eleven Brahmacharinis were initiated as Arikas. Eight Ilak monks were initiated as Shullaks and Six Shullaks as Munis. Shullika 105 Gurumathimataji was initiated as Arika by Prathama Ganini Arika Sri 105 Vijayamathi Mataji. Eight Brahmacharis were elevated as Ilaks and the remaining Brahmacharinis as Shullikas. Two women were initiated as Brahmacharinis. A highlight of the initiation was the large number of young Jain followers who chose to graduate to various stages of becoming a monk, which in essence means renouncing all worldly possessions and desires, and punishing the body through rigorous meditation, penance and lifestyle to attain salvation.
The devotees, a large number of who belonged to the sangha of Acharya Shri 108 Viragasagar Maharaj followed by Prathama Ganini Sri 105 Vijaymathi Mataji and Acharya Sri 108 Varadhattasagar Maharaj were initiated by plucking of their hair, anointing of their head with holy water, and placing of grains and Jain symbols amidst chanting of Jain hymns and delirious devotees shouting slogans.
The devotees who were intitiated today were Ilaks Dhratsenji, Varadhatta, Vishvatsagarji, Vivardhansagarji, Vivarjansagarji, Vishvdrushtsagar, Visheshsagar, Vishvavidhsagarji and Viksantsagarji; Shullaks Vinaysagarji, Vishvibhoosagarji, Vishrathsagarji, Vilasanthsagarji and Viksanthsagarji; Shullika 105 Gurumathimataji; Brahmacharis Bhagchandji, Vijayji, Ananthji, Kamaleshji, Sonubhaiyaji, Vijayji, Amitji, Chakreshbhaiya and Surendraji; Brahmacharinis Sheelaji, Ananthamatiji, Ruthiji, Vinithaji, Arathiji, Ratnaji, Sumathiji, Sarithaji, Seemaji, Rupal Jain Thanktuka, Rani Jain Chatarpur; Amrudha Jain; and Shubprabha. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)