Tarun Sagar

Muni Shri 108
Tarun Sagar
Ji Maharaj
Sagar in 2012.
Religion Jainism
Sect Digambara
Personal
Born Shri Pawan Kumar Jain
(1967-06-26)26 June 1967
Guhanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died 1 September 2018(2018-09-01) (aged 51)
New Delhi, India
Parents
  • Shri Pratap Chandra Jain (father)
  • Shrimati Shanti Bai Jain (mother)
Religious career
Predecessor Acharya Pushpadantsagar
Initiation 20 July 1988
Bagidora, Rajasthan
by Acharya Pushpadantsagar
Website www.tarunvani.com

Muni Tarun Sagar (26 June 1967 – 1 September 2018) was an Indian Digambara monk. His lectures are termed Kadve Pravachan (bitter discourses) because they can be candidly critical of common practices and views.[1] His lectures have been compiled and published in book series also titled Kadve Pravachan. Excerpts from his discourses are often published by newspapers.[2] Unlike most other Digambar jain monks, his audience often included a majority of non-Jains. His discourses often addressed family or society issues, topics generally avoided by other Jain monks.

Early life

Muni Tarun Sagar was born as Pawan Kumar Jain on 26 June 1967 to Pratap Chandra Jain and Shanti Bai Jain in a small village Guhanchi in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, India.[3][4] He was initiated as Kshullak at the age of 13 and as a Digambara monk by Acharya Pushpdant Sagar on 20 July 1988 in Bagidora, Rajasthan at the age of 20.[5] He emerged as a prominent personality when GTV initiated a program called "Mahavira Vani".

He became very sick during his travels in 2007,[6] but at Kolhapur, he resolved to remain a Jain monk. However he started using a doli for conveyance, rather than continue to walk on foot as required.[7]

Discourses

In 2000, he gave an address from the Red Fort, Delhi. After wandering through Haryana (2000), Rajasthan (2001), Madhya Pradesh (2002), Gujarat (2003), Maharashtra (2004), he arrived in Karnataka in 2006 for the occasion of Maha Mastak Abhisheka celebrations at Shravanabelagola after having walked for 65-days from Belgaum.[8] By this time he had emerged as a "progressive Jain monk" for his criticism of violence, corruption and conservatism, and his speeches came to be called "Katu Pravachan".[9] He agreed to have his Chaturmas in Bangalore.[10]

While Jain monks often avoid associating with politicians, Muni Tarun Sagar has often met politicians and government officials as a guest.[11] He has delivered his sermons Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2010 and in Haryana Legislative Assembly on 26 August 2016.[12][13][14]

His 2015 Chaturmas was in Shri 1008 Parshvanath Digambar Jain Mandir, Sector 16, Faridabad.[15] 108 Jain Śrāvaka pairs welcomed Tarun Sagar by washing his feet with 108 kalashas in 108 plates over a 200 feet ramp.[16]

He appeared on the talk show Aap ki adalat hosted by Rajat Sharma on 18 March 2017 where he revealed that in childhood he liked the sweet Jalebi the most.[17] In childhood once going on road he listened to the voice "tum bhi bhagwan ban sakte ho" meaning 'you can also become God'. This was the voice of Digambar Jain monk Pushpdant Sagarji. After hearing these words, Muni Tarun Sagar ji left his home.[18] Rajat Sharma candidly asked many questions, many related to the conduct a Digambar Jain monk. The Muni answered without being offended, often with humor or reciting verses.

He has been candid in both criticising and praising politicians, including Narendra Modi.[19]

Views

International trainer, author and motivational author, Dr Ujjwal Patni posed as Mahatma Gandhi and his wife posed as Kasturba Gandhi at Ahmedabad on 2 October 2012. The '1000 Gandhi' program was organised for Guinness World Records with the blessings of Muni Shri Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj. Guinness World Records confirmed this as a world record for the most people dressed as Gandhi in one place: 891

Although he belongs to the Digambara sect, he promotes a non-sectarian outlook. In 2013 at Jaipur, he joined the Śvētāmbara monks during his chaturmas. In 2014, he inspired a Dharma Sansad, which was attended by Acharyas of Śvētāmbara Terapanth, Sthānakavāsī and Murtipujaka sects.[20]

Muni Tarun Sagar has expressed his views on Islamic traditions too. He once said that Love Jihad is a conspiracy to convert Hindu girls into Muslims.[21][22] He has also raised his opposition to the Islamic practice of Triple Talaq.[18]

His other discourses were on:

Works

He was invited to an RSS Vijaya Dashami function in Nagpur in September 2009 where he pointed out that using leather belts did not reflect non-violence. Subsequently, leather belts in the dress of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were replaced with canvas ones.[28][29] He got the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan agreed not to open new liquor shops in Madhya Pradesh in June 2010.[5] He also started a movement called Ahimsa Mahakumbh to stop export of meat and leather from India.[30] He opposed the Rajasthan High Court's order to impose ban on Sallekhana.[31]

Muni Tarun Sagar has constituted a national award - Tarun Kranti Puruskar which was awarded to Baba Ramdev, Vijay Darda and JITO in 2012 by the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.[32] He published his discourses in a book series titled Kadve Pravachan (Bitter Discourse) starting in 2003 in Ahmedabad.[33][34] The series has had eight volumes.[5] His discourses are telecasted and watched in over 100 countries by the Jain community.[3] Jyoti Amge, who is less than 25 inches tall, released Tarun Sagar's Kadve Pravachan (Bitter Utterances), a book measuring 30 feet by 24 feet and weighing 2,000 kilograms, on 18 August 2013 in Jaipur.[35][36]

Newspaper articles

He has got many of his articles published in newspapers. Some of them are:

  • Jealousy fetches you nothing[37]
  • Don't be egoistic because of your money![38]
  • Dharma seems necessary?[39]
  • I am not Anti-Pandit but Anti-Hypocrisy[40]
  • Where there is bickering, there is hell[41]

Awards and titles

He has been declared a state guest in Madhya Pradesh (2002), Gujarat (2003), Maharashtra and Karnataka. He got the title of krantikari (revolutionary) at a religious gathering in Karnataka, and Rashtra Sant in 2003 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.[5]

Legacy

On July 29, 2012 in Ahmedabad, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi, presented the Tarun Kranti Puraskar to him.[42]

Reception

While he was in Karnataka, journalist Seetharam, in his column "Suttha Mutha" ridiculed Jainism and Jain Muni Tarun Sagar in the eveninger Karavali Ale, who was charged under sections 153 (A), 153 (B) and 295 (A) of Indian Penal Code.[43]

In August 2016, Tarun Sagar was invited to address the Haryana Assembly by both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party members.[44][45] He talked about social and political issues and evoked applause and laughter from lawmakers.[46] The event caused a number of tweets critical of Muni Tarun Sagar because of his nudity.[47] Most notable were the tweets by Vishal Dadlani, the musician and a leading AAP supporter,[48] and the Congress leader Tehseen Poonawalla.[49] As a result, 27 police complaints were filed against Dadlani and Poonawala.[50]

The AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal out of fear losing his Jain vote bank quickly disassociated with Dadlani's comments stating "I met Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj last year. Our family regularly listens to his discourses on TV. We deeply respect him and his thoughts...Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj is a very revered saint, not just for Jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and should stop".[50] Dadlani, realizing his mistake, vowed to quit politics and apologized 33 times on-line.[51][52][53] Tarun Sagar defended the right of Dadlani to criticize him.[54][55]

Death

Tarun Sagar fasted to death on 1 September 2018 at age 51 after a long illness.[56]

Notes

  1. ↑ "कड़वे प्रवचनों का पहला कार्यक्रम सेक्टर-27 के रामलीला ग्राउंड में कल", bhaskar.com, 23 July 2016
  2. ↑ "जन्म को सुधारो, मृत्यु सुधर जाएगी: तरुण सागर 11306912". jagran.com.
  3. 1 2 "Shivraj Singh Chauhan fit for PM, Jain muni says at RSS function", The Times of India, 14 October 2013
  4. ↑ "Muni Shri 108 Tarunsagar Ji Maharaj", Jainmunilocator.org
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Beyond the Haryana address: Tarun Sagar, the Jain muni who speaks his mind, finds an audience", The Indian Express, 30 August 2016
  6. ↑ "I am healthy, says Jain muni Tarunsagar". thehindu.com.
  7. ↑ [कड़वे प्रवचन, जैन मुनिश्री तरुणसागर, Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd, Jul 4, 2016]
  8. ↑ "I couldn't resist the magnetic attraction of Bahubali: Jain muni". thehindu.com.
  9. ↑ "Jain seer gets warm welcome". thehindu.com.
  10. ↑ "Briefly". thehindu.com.
  11. ↑ "Jainism practises what it preaches". thehindu.com.
  12. ↑ "Jain saint uses wit to prick conscience of politicians", The Tribune, 27 August 2016
  13. ↑ "When Another Jain Monk Addressed A State Legislative Assembly And There Was No Controversy", The Huffington Post, 29 August 2016
  14. ↑ "Muni delivers 'Kadve Pravachan' in Haryana Vidhan Sabha", Business Standard, 26 August 2016
  15. ↑ "C.M.Haryana Khattar with Jain Muni Tarun Sagar Maharaj at Jain Mandir in faridabad", abtaknews, archived from the original on 2015-07-25
  16. ↑ "200 फुट लंबे रैंप पर 108 जोड़ों ने पांव धोकर किया मुनिश्री तरुण सागर का स्वागत", Dainik Bhaskar, 18 April 2016
  17. ↑ Jain Muni Tarun Sagar in Aap Ki Adalat With Rajat Sharma, IndiaTV, Mar 18, 2017
  18. 1 2 "Every third Indian is corrupt, says Jain Muni Tarun Sagar in Aap Ki Adalat", India Tv, 17 March 2017
  19. ↑ "Modi apologize form wife: Tarun Sagar". jagran.com.
  20. ↑ "देश की राजधानी दिल्ली में जैन एकता का अनुपम अवसर : 80 जैन साधु-साध्वियों के मध्य लगी धर्म संसद", ABTYP Jain Terapanth News, 14 September 2014
  21. ↑ "तरुण सागर के लव-जिहाद संबंधी बयान पर गरमाई सियासत", jagran.com
  22. ↑ "हिंदू लड़कियों को मुस्लिम बनाने की साजिश है लव जिहाद", Amar Ujala, 11 May 2015
  23. ↑ "'मौत और भगवान का ध्यान रखो'". jagran.com.
  24. ↑ "सौ के फेर में नहीं पड़ें". jagran.com.
  25. ↑ "संत की शरण में भागवत". jagran.com.
  26. ↑ "जैन मुनि ने कड़वे ढंग से बताई कई अहम बातें", amarujala.com
  27. ↑ "जैन मुनि ने शराब और मांस त्यागने को कहा", amarujala.com
  28. ↑ "RSS may step out of khaki shorts, get into designer trousers", Hindustan Times, 31 January 2016
  29. ↑ "RSS changes its style from shorts to trousers", The Hindu, 4 November 2015
  30. ↑ "Revolutionary Saint showering blessings", The Times of India, 25 June 2012
  31. ↑ Sharma, Lalit (10 August 2015), Rajasthan high court bans Jain ritual of fasting unto death, Jaipur: Hindustan Times
  32. ↑ "CM presents 'Tarun-Kranti Puraskar' to Baba Ramdev, Vijay Darda and JITO", narendramodi.in, 29 July 2012
  33. ↑ "Muni Tarunsagar's 'Kadve Pravachan' burrows through hearts", Daily News and Analysis, 10 August 2012
  34. ↑ Tarunsagar 2014.
  35. ↑ "Indian media: Interest in 'militant' arrest", BBC, 19 August 2013
  36. ↑ "Shortest woman releases biggest book". thehindu.com.
  37. ↑ "ईर्ष्या से कुछ नहीं मिलता", navbharattimes.indiatimes.com
  38. ↑ "कडवे प्रवचन : धन का अहंकार न करें!", hindi.webdunia.com
  39. ↑ "धर्म जरूरी लगता है?", satsanglive.com
  40. ↑ "मैं पंडितों का नहीं उनके पाखंड का विरोधी हूं : मुनि तरुणसागर", satsanglive.com
  41. ↑ "जहां तर्क है, वहां नर्क है : मुनि तरुणसागर", satsanglive.com
  42. ↑ "In pictures: Narendra Modi, Tarun Sagar Maharaj, Baba Ramdev, Vijay Darda". deshgujarat.com. 29 July 2012.
  43. ↑ "Journalist, wife in judicial custody". thehindu.com.
  44. ↑ "Vishal Dadlani's sarcastic tweet on Jain monk Tarun Sagar backfires, musician vows to quit politics", India Today, 28 August 2016
  45. ↑ "Jain leader Tarun Sagar's address in Haryana Assembly", The Indian Express, 1 September 2016
  46. ↑ "In address to Haryana assembly, Jain monk talks about Pakistan, sex ratio". hindustantimes.com. 27 August 2016.
  47. ↑ "Monk, in nude, addresses Haryana assembly, leaves Twitterati furious over misogynist anaology". intoday.in.
  48. ↑ "Apologizing For His Tweets Yet Again, Vishal Dadlani Writes An Open Letter For Monk Tarun Sagar". indiatimes.com.
  49. ↑ "Punjab, Haryana HC refuses to stay arrest of singer Vishal Dadlani, Congress activist", The Indian Express, 15 September 2016
  50. 1 2 "Hurt religious sentiments: 27 police complaints over Dadlani, Congress leaders remarks against Jain guru", India Today, 29 August 2016
  51. ↑ "Vishal Dadlani again apologises to Tarun Sagar for his remarks", The Economic Times, 1 September 2016
  52. ↑ "Vishal Dadlani Meets Jain Monk Tarun Sagar To Apologise, Says 'We Are Friends Now'", NDTV, 21 September 2016
  53. ↑ "Dadlani Granted Anticipatory Bail, Court Says Complaint Made Only to 'Humiliate' Him", The Wire, 23 September 2016
  54. ↑ "Nothing To Forgive, Says Jain Monk About Vishal Dadlani; Police Disagrees". ndtv.com.
  55. ↑ "VHP condemns Vishal Dadlani's remarks on Jain monk Tarun Sagar", The Indian Express, 31 August 2016
  56. ↑ "Jain Monk Tarun Sagar Passes Away At 51". Headlines Today. Retrieved 1 September 2018.

References

  • Tarunsagar (9 June 2014), Kadve Pravachan by Muni Tarunsagar (in Hindi), Diamond Books, ISBN 978-9351652403, ASIN 9351652408
  • Kadve Pravachan Book by Muni Tarunsagar
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