Udaipur : The Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University in Gandhinagar, recently conferred ahonorary degree of Doctorate in Literature among His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharaj, the revered saint of the Digambar Jain clan. His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharaj has successfully maintained the barriers of physical and moral restraint and self-discipline in order to advance on the path to liberation and is a revered spiritual leader.
Dr. Ragin Shah, Provost, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University represented the proposal of honourary Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) on behalf of the academic council of the university and its board of management before the university’s chancellor.
Speaking on the occasion Mr Rishabh Jain, President of the University said, “India is a spiritual country which guides the progress of our nation. We at our University firmly believein the path of innovation through values. Conferring the doctorate on His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharajis our way of recognizing his contribution to society and this will also excite our students to learn from his life of extreme discipline & focus, which are the main requirements for any ground breaking innovation”.
His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharajsaid, “Getting a degree is not a big deal but letting it overpower your brain is a big deal. Position, money and glory are obtained through virtue. So I haven’t received this degree, it is my good deeds that have been conferred upon with this honour. If we use the wealth of virtue in luxury, it will end just then. The fruit of virtue is not a degree, the fruit of virtue is the fruit of the protector. The way Swarrnim University has coordinated this event is commendable.”
His holy trinity comprises right belief, right knowledge, and appropriate conduct. He practices penance by often going without food and water for weeks and months together. His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharaj is known for his teachings where he dispelled several myths about the religion and its rites and rituals.
Besides being a spiritual leader, His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharaj is also a social reformer, who has delivered his sermons and teachings across at least two dozen jails. He has interacted with prisoners and inspired them to take on the higher road and lead a life centered on morals and values once they are released from prison.
Aside this, His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharajhas also been honoured with some coveted recognitions including Acharya Bhadrabahu Maharaj in the Year 2009 on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti in Gomateshwara Bahubali by Bhattarak Swasti Shri Charu Kirti Maha Swami Ji, who also honoured him by presenting a Peacock Pichchika in the midst of the vast ocean of human heads and praised his spiritual practices.
He has also been named as the second Tapasvee Samrat in 2015 in Delhi by a revolutionary Jain saint, Muni Shri Tarun Sagarji Maharaj. In 2018, His Holiness Antarmana Acharyashree Prasannasagarjee Maharaj was also honoured by the Governor of Gujarat as Sadhna Mahodadhi and Gujarat Keshari. Later in 2019, his Guru Ganachar Acharya Shri Pushp Dant Sagarji Maharaj honoured him with the title of Tapascharya on the occasion of Guru Purnima and revered him with the position of Acharya on November 29, in the Ankleekar tradition of Jain ascetics. In 2020, on the eve of the Mahavir Jayanti in Jambudweep, Hastinapur, Ganini Aryika Gyanmati Mataji honoured him with the title of Pravachan Prabhakar.