The unprecedented joy that our group experienced during the 500 – 600 miles of journey from Shivganj (Marwad) to Karachi is inexpressible
[Editor’s Note: This is Part 17 (Welcome Ceremony) of a series of articles based on a pre-partition book named “મારી સિંધ યાત્રા” (“منهنجي سنڌ جو سفر”) in Gujarati authored by Jain sadhu Shri Vidyavijayji, narrating his experiences of travel and stay in Karachi for about 2 and a half years between 1937 and 1939. It would be advisable to click on the Introductory Article and read it to better understand the series. – Nasir Aijaz, Editor Sindh Courier]
Vimal Shah, Mumbai
The Welcome Ceremony
After going around various mohallas our group reached the Jain Upashray near Bohra Peer in Ranchodline. The thoughts vibrating in my mind while on the way, came out in the form of words during my opening speech. This is the essence of what I said at that time in reciprocation to the people of Karachi:
“It’s already late, so I will keep it brief. I am pained because of two things at this event. Our Gurudev Shri Vijay Dharmasuriji had plans to visit Sindh twenty to twenty-five years ago. He went to the heavenly abode even before he could sanctify Sindh with his feet. It would have been most appropriate if he was present today and you all had given him such a grand welcome. And I believe Sindh would have been sanctified with his presence. We are missing the kind of joy that we would have experienced walking behind him in his service. I am sad because of this fact. And secondly, absence of my disciple from the world’s view but practically, my colleague, passionate writer, aerator, and researcher Shri Himanshuvijayji since he went to the heavenly abode untimely while we were in Hala. He was a degree holder of Nyay-Vyakaran Sahitya from Calcutta University. His absence would be felt without fail from time to time during our activities here. But as suggested by our devotees, friends, and well-wishers, it’s our duty to keep patience and carry out our activities. And I reiterate the appeal that I made in Malir to the Journalists, Affluent people, Jain Sangh, and Young Volunteers.”
“It is clearly evident from your faces how happy you all are. But would you allow me to share the waves of feelings rising in my heart, looking at the grand welcome given by you all? Twenty-two Parishah are described in the Uttaradhyayan Sootra for Sadhus. Apart from suffering from insect bites of bugs, mosquitoes, clags, hunger – thirst, cold – heat, etc. even ‘Satkar Parishah’ has been described.”
Our purpose of this visit is not limited to giving religious sermons to Jains and performing religious ceremonies
“It is very difficult to bear (win over) ‘Satkar Parishah’. You all must be thinking that Sadhus would be very happy to see a grand welcome, but in reality, our eyes are lowered in shame. What act of bravery have we done that you all give such a grand welcome to us? And where do we have the courage to win over this welcome ceremony? It is our duty to travel to places and give sermons to all the people with equality. All these reflect your devotion, so we are incapable of rejecting them. It is also very difficult to resist the heart’s desire of the people. You all know that we wanted to enter Malir quietly, but still, you all gathered there. We preferred you didn’t spend much over gathering there, but you did not remain from honoring your discretion. But I want to tell you one thing – keep the same level of enthusiasm that you all are expressing today. Keep your treasures open when an appeal is made for compassion and other activities. And generously participate in all the activities with Tan-Man-Dhan (‘Tan’ = human service, ‘Man’ = willingness, ‘Dhan’ = donations). Our purpose of this visit is not limited to giving religious sermons to Jains and performing religious ceremonies. You all are aware of the larger purpose of our visit to Sindh. It is our duty to make efforts towards the fulfilment of our will and objectives. We are all destined to follow the path of Shri Himanshuvijayji. We should best utilize our time before we proceed on that path. Our task is as difficult as threading pearls during the lightning. Lightning will last for a while, but our time will fly like anything. How much time does it take for the death bell to ring? We will never be lax if we understand this properly.”
After this brief discourse, I gave an indication of the editorials published in the ‘Sindh Sevak’ and ‘Maha Gujarat’ yesterday.
Jainism has suffered a lot on account of the sectarianism
“We are coming to Karachi for the very first time. We are not acquainted with the people here. Despite that, I could see the unity and equanimity amongst the Jain communities of Karachi – the Mandirmargi and the Sthanakvasi sects better than elsewhere. I definitely wish even if the different sects of the Jain community do not become one, despite following the rituals of their own sects, it is desired and beneficial that – when it comes to the activities of public interest, they work with mutual cooperation, keeping in mind the advancement of Jainism, and in particular the principle of non-violence of Bhagwan Mahavir.”
“Jainism has suffered a lot on account of the sectarianism. If the Jain community truly understand the Jainism of Mahavir, capable of achieving world peace, many disputes of present times can get automatically resolved. Where there’s stubbornness – insistence, there’s the growth of passion and hatred, and it is lack of Jainism where there’s the growth of passion and hatred.”
“Here, my only message for the Jain Community is that – they sustain the unity displayed in the beginning with a true heart forever. And if that happens, it would be a bigger success of our visit to Karachi.”
“I wish the same for other communities of Karachi that – they extend their cooperation in all our activities of public interest.”
“The Welcome Ceremony was concluded with short speeches by the owner of ‘Sindh Sevak’ Shri Bhadrashankar Bhatt, Bhai P.T. Shah, the chairperson of Sanatan Dharma Sabha and prominent Sindhi gentleman Sheth Lokamal Chelaram.”
The Hot Topic
The unprecedented joy that our group experienced during the 500 – 600 miles of journey from Shivganj (Marwad) to Karachi is inexpressible. During our journey anytime and anywhere this was the hot topic of discussion – ‘Maharaj, why don’t you travel by railway instead of suffering so much? You can even go by aeroplane if you wish. We used to appropriately answer this question by giving detailed explanations.
Click here for Part-I, Part-II, Part-III, Part-IV, Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII , Part-VIII , Part-IX, Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII , Part-XIV, Part-XV, Part-XVI
________________
About the contributor of the series of Articles based on the book
Vimal Shah is a follower of Jainism by birth and is based in Mumbai, India. He is a Computer Engineer and holds a Diploma in Jainology from Mumbai University. He has an immense interest in reading, writing, studying, and teaching Jain Philosophical subjects. He conducts classroom as well as online sessions on Jain Philosophical courses. He continues to study various subjects and remains a student of Jain Philosophy. He has significantly contributed to the Translation Project of the ‘Compendium of Jainism’ from English to Gujarati – an initiative of the JAINA India Foundation. He is also associated with a Project for the translation of Jain Aagams (Scriptures) from Gujarati to English. He has a special interest in the history and preservation of the Jain Heritage in Pakistan. He was part of a Delegation of the Jain Heritage Foundation, New Delhi that visited various Jain Heritage Sites in Pakistan in May-2023.
