अंतःकस्तूरी गंध : बहिर पंचाट
Summary
The publication "Jain Bharati" has completed fifty years and entered its fifty-first year, with 2002 being its Golden Jubilee year. This review examines the issues published during that year. The text discusses the complexities of society and the individual, emphasizing that problems and pressures stimulate thought. It contrasts a state of blind imitation and surrender with the ideal of using discernment (vivek) to accept beneficial conditions and reject harmful ones, calling a society of discerning consciousness a "standard society." The review notes that golden ages in history are marked by all-round development and a blend of tradition and new awakening. The reviewer acknowledges being influenced by Acharya Shri Mahapragya's thinking and editor Shubhu Patwa's contemporary views. The editor's February 2002 editorial is cited, which describes an institution as a person's enlarged shadow, lacking life and independent power, and notes that even great thinkers' power gets dissolved in sects. The editor questions whether ignoring goodness simply because it exists within a particular sect is itself a narrow vision. The July 2002 issue features Acharya Shri Tulsi's distinction between a "seat" (static and for a few) and a "path" (dynamic and for all), and between sectarianism and a dynamic tradition. Acharya Shri Mahapragya's concern with the crisis of moral values is highlighted, noting that while everyone discusses it, serious thought is lacking as those in power focus on elections, industrialists on political dominance, and ascetics on attracting followers. He calls for a personality rising above caste and sectarian bigotry, with continuous dedication and serious thinking about the root cause of problems: everyone's goal of maximum consumption, convenience, and wealth. The central purpose of "Jain Bharati" is understood through its monthly issues. The review provides a general assessment of the 2002 issues, noting the difficulty of detailed analysis, especially of the March-April-May combined special issue on anekant (non-absolutism). It questions the editor's categorization of content into sections like context, discussion, experience
Conclusion
The analysis of "Jain Bharati" reveals that its fifty-year journey is not merely a chronological milestone but a testament to its role as a catalyst for critical thought. The publication's sustained engagement with contemporary issues—from the crisis of moral values to the dangers of sectarian narrowness—demonstrates that a religious periodical can transcend mere doctrinal exposition to become a vital forum for social and ethical reflection. By consistently challenging readers to move beyond blind adherence and embrace reasoned discernment, the journal has fostered a community oriented toward self-awareness and constructive action. The implications are clear: such platforms are essential for nurturing a vigilant, thoughtful society capable of navigating complexity without losing its ethical compass. Ultimately, "Jain Bharati" exemplifies how disciplined inquiry, rooted in tradition yet open to dialogue, can generate the intellectual and moral energy needed to address both personal and collective challenges.