Acharya Vidyasagar

Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj (10 October 1946 – 18 February 2024) was an Indian Digambara Jain Acharya (Digambar Jain Monk).

He was recognized both for his scholarship and tapasya (austerity).

He was known for his long hours in meditation.

While he was born in Karnataka and took diksha (undertook spiritual discipline) in Rajasthan, he generally spent much of his time in the Bundelkhand region where he is credited with having brought about a revival in educational and religious activities.

He wrote the epic Hindi poem "Mukamati".

Vidyasagar Ji was born on 10 October 1946 during the full moon festival (Sharad Purnima) in Sadalga, in the Belgaum district, of Karnataka in a Kannada-speaking Jain family.

The modest house where he was born, is now a temple and a museum.

His childhood name was Vidyadhar.

He was the second of four sons, the eldest son being Mahavira Ashtage Ji and the younger ones Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji.

As a child, he was fond of eating fresh butter which was used to make ghee (clarified butter).

He was not a demanding child and accepted what was given to him.

Vidyadhar used to visit temples and teach his younger siblings the principles of religion.

He called both younger sisters "Akka" (elder sister).

He was attentive and was eager to undertake his studies.

In his spare time he used to paint.

Vidyasagar was initiated as a Digambara monk in 1968 at the age of 22 by Acharya Gyansagarji Maharaj, who belonged to the lineage of Acharya Shantisagarji Maharaj, at Ajmer.

His father MallappaJi, his mother ShrimatiJi, and two sisters took diksha and joined the sangha (community of the pious) of Acharya DharmasagarJi.

All of his brothers, Anantanath Ji and Shantinath Ji, Mahavir Ashtage ji followed him and were initiated by Acharya Vidya Sagar Ji Maharaj as Muni Yog Sagar Ji Maharaj and Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj, Muni Utkrastsh Sagar Ji Maharaj respectively.

His younger brothers Muni Yog Sagar Ji Maharaj and Samay Sagar Ji Maharaj took Bhramchrya Vrat and became Muni later.

His elder brother Mahavir Ashtage Ji was married and continued the blood line, but more recently, in 2023, he also took diksha from Acharya Shri and became Muni Utkarsh Sagarji Maharaj.

Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj made very strict rules for his ascetic life.

He never drank milk.

He also did not consume curd, green vegetables and dry fruits.

He also drank water only once a day by filling it with his finger.

He used to eat very limited quantity of plain dal and roti.

He travelled across the country on foot.

Vidyasagar was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.

The Acharya did not eat salt, sugar, fruits, milk, oil, ghee, in addition to what is traditionally prohibited (like onions).

He went out for a meal at about 9:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. from Śrāvakas (lay votaries).

He took food once a day in the palm of his hand, one morsel at a time.

Vidyasagar slept on the floor or a wooden platform without any mattress or pillow.

As a Digambar monk, for discourses he was provided a raised wooden seat withough any padding.

In 1999, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid a visit to Acharya Shree during his visit to Gomatgiri Indore.

Acharya Vidyasagarji's Chaturmas (four-month stay) in 2016 was in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where he was accompanied by 38 munis.

He gave his Pravachana (reading) in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly by special invitation from Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 28 July 2016.

In 2016, during a trip to Bhopal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him.

He was also visited by former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia from the opposing Congress Party, now in BJP.

Congress State President Kamal Nath paid a visit to Acharya Ji during his visit to Jabalpur.

Union Minister Uma Bharati paid a visit to Acharya Ji at the completion of 50 years of initiation at the Samyama Swarna Mahotsav festival.

During the Guru Purnima Celebration in 2018, Digvijay Singh received the blessings of Acharya Vidyasagar Ji in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh.