Jai Jinendra.
Sri Devendrakeertiji Bhattarak Swamiji is no more. He left for devlok yesterday at the Humbaj Jain Muth near Bengalaru, India.
Swamiji’s physical presence will be deeply missed by all. His was a voice of wisdom and reason. Swamiji wholeheartedly supported Shikharji at Siddhachalam project. As recently as a few weeks ago, when Siddhachalam sought his guidance on vidhi vidhan for bhoomi pujan, he gave valuable counsel. He enthusiastically supported the idea of one vidhi for the bhoomi pujan event. Although he had scheduled programs in India around August 29, 2010, he felt that the Shikharji project deserved his full attention and agreed to specifically travel to Siddhachalam for bhoomi pujan. His physical presence will be deeply missed by Siddhachalam.
In homage to him, Siddhachalam cancels its scheduled Cricket Tournament on Saturday, July 17. Instead, a puja will be held at 10:30 am at the Main Temple, followed by shradhanjali and swamivatsalya. Separate email follows regarding Cricket Tournament.
In holding this puja, Siddhachalam is respectfully joined by the Jain Samaj of USA, among other organizations, and by the many individuals whose lives he touched.
Please join us on July 17 at 10:30 am for puja at Main Temple in homage to Swamiji Devendrakeerthiji Bhattarak.
Respectfully,
Jaipat Singh Jain
Vice Chairman & President
Siddhachalam Jain Tirth
About Swamiji
Bhattarakji Devendrakeerthi
Bhattarak Devendrakeerthi Ji became a Bhattarakha at the Humbuj muth at the age of 22. He had an MA degree in Philosophy from Madras University and PhD from Madurai University. He directed monthly magazine “Gurudeva” and “Sri Siddhantkeerty Granthmala” and published hundreds of religious books and articles. Bhattarak Ji traveled to many countries and performed panchkalnayak and pratishtha for hundreds of temples, including Siddhachalam, in various cities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
About Humbaj Muth
Please see Wikipedia entry on Humbaj: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbaj
Keshi said to Gautam: “Whom do you call foes?” Hearing these words of Keshi, Gautam replied: “O sage! The first foe is one’s unconquered soul. Add to this the four passions of anger, conceit, deceit and greed, and the five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing. Vanquishing all these ten, I move about righteously.” Kumar-shraman Keshi said: “Gautam, you are endowed with excellent wisdom. You have removed my doubt…” Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 23:3- 39. The conversation between Sharman Keshi, follower of Bhagwaan Parsvanath, and Gautam Swami, the ganadhara of Bhagwaan Mahavira.