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A DEDICATED SOUL
where it is said that his gesture or voice would touch even the birds and animals. He left some of his disciples to pacify the agonised feelings of the people, which comprised persons of different faiths. An untoward incident occurred, which hastened his return, before the scheduled date. Time factor and distance he had to cross placed him in a difficult predicament. However, a determined will, love for his Guru and faith in his followers helped him to cover a difficult terrain of 450 miles in fifteen days under the scorching heat. To move barefooted and bareheaded was an impossibility; however, a Jaina sadhu is not free to act and behave as he pleases. He has to abide by rigid rules. He reached in time inspite of all privations.
SRI MAHAVIRA VIDYALAYA
But he started back again on the tour of Gujarat and Saurāṣtra. After travelling extensively in Gujarāt, he reached Bombay at the pressing invitation of the Jaina Samgha in 1914 A.D. During his stay, he delivered religious discourses in different parts of the City and then prepared himself to leave for the Punjab, where his followers consisted of all sections of the society. His popularity knew no barriers of caste and creed. But the followers insisted that he should stay further in Bombay. Ha requested the Jaina Samgha to justify his further stay. Several constructive suggestions were put forward but he was full with the ideas of his Guru, who always thought of the uplift of people through education.
Ācāryaśrī laid a great stress on the desirability of founding a central educational institution in Bombay to meet the growing needs of a community, which, though foremost in trade and industry, was backward in educational and professional fields. The idea was welcomed by the rich and the educated section of the Jainas. They offered their full cooperation; and the untiring efforts of an enthusiastic band of workers resulted in giving a definite shape to the thoughtful idea of Acāryaśrī. i Thus Sri Mahāvīra Jaina Vidyalaya took shape in Bombay in 1915 A.D. Hundreds of students have enlivened their lives by yeomen services rendered to this institution. Many students of this Institution have rendered invaluable service in different spheres of activities for more than forty years. Education in all spheres is the goal of this institution. Not only has it fulfilled the desires and hopes of Ācāryasri by serving the students in Bombay, but the Vidyālaya has opened its branches in Ahmeda
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