Acharya Jnansagar or Gyansagar (1891–1973) was a ''

Digambara ''Digambara'' (; "sky-clad") is one of the two major schools of Jainism, the other being ''Śvētāmbara'' (white-clad). The Sanskrit word ''Digambara'' means "sky-clad", referring to their traditional monastic practice of neither possessing n ...

'' Jain ''Acharya'' of 20th century who composed many Sanskrit epics. He initiated ''Acharya'' Vidyasagar in 1968 as a monk and 1972 as an ''Acharya''.

Biography

He was born in 1891 as Bhooramal Chhabra ( hi, भूरामल छाबड़ा). His father was named Chaturbhuj Chhabra and mother Ghritbhari Devi. He was second of five brothers (Chhaganlal being the eldest and Gangaprasad, Gaurilal and Devdatt being the younger brothers). After completing primary studies in his village, he further studied Sanskrit and Jain philosophy in Banaras at the famous Syadvad Mahavidyalaya founded by Ganeshprasad Varni. He was initiated a

kshullak A kshullak (or kshullaka, lit. small or junior) is a junior Digambar Jain monk. A kshullak wears two garments as opposed to a full monk who wears no clothes.Jinendra Varni, Jainendra Siddhanta Kosa, V.2, pages, 188-189 Specifically a Kshullaka i ...

(Junior monk) by Acharya Veersagar who belonged to the lineage of

Acharya Shantisagar Acharya Shri Shantisagar (1872–1955) was an Indian monk of the Digambara school of the Jain faith. He was the first Acharya (preceptor) and a leader of his sect in the 20th century. Shanti Sagar ji revived the teaching and practice of traditi ...

. He was then named kshullak Gyanbhusan. He remained a kshullak for 2 years and 2 more years as Ailak before becoming a Muni (Full monk). He was initiated a monk by Acharya Shivsagar who also belonged to the lineage of

, in Khaniya ji, Jaipur in 1959. He was further elevated to the Acharya status in 1968 at Naseerabad, Rajasthan.

Works

As an expert in Sanskrit, he had been a great composer in Sanskrit. At least 30 researchers have studied his works and were honored doctoral degrees. At least 300 scholars have presented research papers on his work.
His works includes 4 Sanskrit epics and 3 more Jain texts and that too in the time when the Sanskrit composition was almost obsolete. These creations have always surprised the modern Sanskrit scholars.

Stamp

An official Government of India stamp in his memory was issues by minister Sachin Pilot on September 10, 2013 at Kishangarh Rajasthan.प्रथम दिगम्बर जैन संत जिन पर हुआ डाकटिकिट जारी Edited By Rajneesh K Jha on बुधवार, 11 सितंबर 2013
/ref> He thus became the first Digambar Jain Acharya to have a stamp released in his memory.

Tradition

He belongs to the tradition established by Acharya Shantisagar: #

# Acharya Virsagar # Acharya Shivsagar # Acharya Gyansagar # Acharya Vidyasagar

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gyansagar, Acharya Sanskrit poets Jain acharyas 1891 births 1973 deaths Indian Jain monks 20th-century Indian Jains 20th-century Jain monks 20th-century Indian monks