Tarun Sagar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muni Shri 108 Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj |
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Sagar ji in 2012.
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| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Digambara |
| Personal | |
| Born | 26 June 1967 Guhanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Died | 1 September 2018 (aged 51) New Delhi, India |
| Religious career | |
| Predecessor | Acharya Pushpadantsagar |
| Initiation | 20 July 1988 Bagidora, Rajasthan by Acharya Pushpadantsagar |
Muni Tarun Sagar (born June 26, 1967 – died September 1, 2018) was a famous Digambara monk from India. He was known for his talks, which he called Kadve Pravachan. This means "bitter discourses" because he spoke honestly about common ideas and ways of life.
His talks were so popular that they were collected and published in a series of books, also called Kadve Pravachan. Newspapers often shared parts of his speeches. Unlike many other Jain monks, a lot of people who listened to him were not Jain. His talks often focused on family and community topics.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming a Monk
Muni Tarun Sagar was born on June 26, 1967. His parents, Pratap Chandra Jain and Shanti Bai Jain, were part of the Digambara branch of Jainism. They lived in a small village called Guhanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India.
When he was just 13 years old, he began his journey to become a monk. On July 20, 1988, at the age of 20, he became a Digambara monk. This happened in Bagidora, Rajasthan, with the blessings of Acharya Pushpdant Sagar. He became well-known when a TV channel, GTV, started a program called "Mahavira Vani" that featured him.
His Discourses and Travels
In the year 2000, Muni Tarun Sagar gave a speech from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. After that, he traveled through many Indian states, including Haryana (2000), Rajasthan (2001), Madhya Pradesh (2002), Gujarat (2003), and Maharashtra (2004).
In 2006, he arrived in Karnataka for the Maha Mastak Abhisheka celebrations at Shravanabelagola. He had walked for 65 days to get there from Belgaum. By this time, he was seen as a "progressive Jain monk." He was known for speaking out against violence, corruption, and old-fashioned ideas. His speeches became known as "Katu Pravachan," meaning "sharp discourses." He decided to spend his Chaturmas (a four-month period of spiritual practice) in Bangalore.
Meeting Important People
Muni Tarun Sagar often met with politicians and government officials. He was invited to give speeches in important places. For example, he spoke in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2010. He also spoke in the Haryana Legislative Assembly on August 26, 2016.
In 2014, during his visit to Agra, the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mohan Bhagwat, came to meet him. He listened to Muni Tarun Sagar's discourse.
In 2015, his Chaturmas was held in Faridabad. Many people welcomed him by washing his feet in a special ceremony.
On a Talk Show
On March 18, 2017, Muni Tarun Sagar appeared on the talk show Aap ki adalat, hosted by Rajat Sharma. During the show, he shared that as a child, his favorite sweet was Jalebi. He also told a story about how he decided to become a monk. One day, he heard a voice saying, "tum bhi bhagwan ban sakte ho" (meaning 'you can also become God'). This was the voice of another Digambar Jain monk, Pushpdant Sagarji. After hearing these words, Muni Tarun Sagar left his home to follow a spiritual path. Rajat Sharma asked him many questions about being a Digambar Jain monk, and the Muni answered them with humor and wisdom.
He was also known for speaking his mind about politicians, sometimes praising them and sometimes criticizing them, including Narendra Modi.
His Beliefs and Ideas
Even though he belonged to the Digambara branch of Jainism, he believed in a non-sectarian approach. This means he encouraged everyone to work together, no matter which Jain group they belonged to. In 2013, he joined Śvētāmbara monks during his chaturmas in Jaipur. In 2014, he helped organize a Dharma Sansad (a religious meeting) where leaders from different Jain groups came together.
Muni Tarun Sagar also shared his thoughts on various social issues. For example, he spoke against the use of alcoholic beverages and non-vegetarian food.
His Contributions and Works
Muni Tarun Sagar made several important contributions:
- In September 2009, he attended a function in Nagpur. He pointed out that using leather belts did not fit with the idea of non-violence. After this, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh changed their uniforms to use canvas belts instead of leather ones.
- In June 2010, he convinced the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, not to open new liquor shops in the state.
- He started a movement called Ahimsa Mahakumbh. This movement aimed to stop the export of meat and leather from India.
- He spoke out against the Rajasthan High Court's decision to ban Sallekhana, a Jain practice of fasting to death.
- He created a national award called Tarun Kranti Puruskar. In 2012, this award was given to Baba Ramdev, Vijay Darda, and JITO by the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.
- He published his talks in a book series called Kadve Pravachan (Bitter Discourse). The first book came out in 2003 in Ahmedabad. There are now eight volumes in the series. His talks are also shown on TV and watched by the Jain community in over 100 countries.
- On August 18, 2013, in Jaipur, a very small person named Jyoti Amge (who is less than 25 inches tall) helped release a giant version of Tarun Sagar's Kadve Pravachan book. This book was 30 feet by 24 feet and weighed 2,000 kilograms!
Newspaper Articles
Many of his articles were published in newspapers. Some of his well-known articles include:
- "Jealousy fetches you nothing"
- "Don't be egoistic because of your money!"
- "Dharma seems necessary?"
- "I am not Anti-Pandit but Anti-Hypocrisy"
- "Where there is bickering, there is hell"
He also gave a famous talk about The Crematory.
Awards and Titles
Muni Tarun Sagar was honored as a state guest in Madhya Pradesh (2002), Gujarat (2003), Maharashtra, and Karnataka. He received the title of krantikari (revolutionary) at a religious gathering in Karnataka. In 2003, he was given the title of Rashtra Sant in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Legacy
On July 29, 2012, in Ahmedabad, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, presented the Tarun Kranti Puraskar to him.
Death
Muni Tarun Sagar passed away on September 1, 2018, at the age of 51. He had been ill for a long time and chose to take Sallekhana (a Jain practice of fasting until death).
