जैनविद्या संस्थान, श्रीमहावीरजी
Summary
Shri Mahavirji, a sacred Digambara Jain Tirtha, is located on the scenic banks of the Gambhir River in Hindaun tehsil, Sawai Madhopur district, Rajasthan. It is 175 km from Jaipur and Agra, and 300 km from Delhi, accessible by road and rail via Shri Mahavirji railway station. The site is renowned for a miraculous, copper-toned, padmasana idol of Lord Mahavira, made of red stone and marble, which emerged from the earth approximately 400 years ago. This idol, with its living consecration, attracts devotees from all sects without discrimination. The managing committee provides amenities like accommodation, electricity, and water for pilgrims, and also works for the village's infrastructure, including water, electricity, roads, education, and healthcare. It offers scholarships to needy students and aid to the disabled, elderly, and widows. An allopathic dispensary and Ayurvedic hospital serve the area, with a yoga and naturopathy center planned. The committee also preserves Jain archaeological sites and promotes Jain literature. Recognizing the global relevance of Mahavira's principles of non-violence, non-possessiveness, and non-absolutism, the committee established the Institute of Jainology (Jainvidya Sansthan) about 37 years ago, inspired by Pandit Chen Sukh Das Nyayatirtha and Ramchandra Khinduka. The institute aims to edit and publish unpublished Jain literature in modern style, translate texts into Hindi, English, and other languages, prepare concise editions, create original works on Jain philosophy and history, catalog and preserve manuscripts, microfilm rare texts, provide resources to scholars, compile dictionaries, publish research, establish a Jain art museum, organize seminars, and promote Jain culture via media. It has seven departments: Library (with over 13,000 printed books and 3,500 manuscripts, including a 10th-century Uttarapurana copy), Research (working on a Jain Purana Kosha and publishing the annual journal "J
Conclusion
The establishment of the Jain Vidya Sansthan at Shri Mahavirji represents a significant step toward preserving and promoting Jain culture, philosophy, and literature on an international scale. Through its seven specialized departments, the institute facilitates research, manuscript preservation, translation, and publication of ancient texts, while also offering scholarships and medical aid to the community. The Mahavir Award and ongoing research projects, such as the Jain Purana Kosha, highlight the institute’s commitment to scholarly excellence. By integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge, the Sansthan aims to spread the universal values of non-violence, non-possessiveness, and pluralism. Ultimately, this initiative is expected to contribute substantially to the moral, social, and cultural upliftment of the global community, fulfilling the contemporary need for Mahavir’s teachings.