PM Modi Honoured as ‘Dharma Chakravarti’ at Jain Saint’s Centenary Celebration

Image Source : Hindustan Times

In a moment steeped in spiritual symbolism and national reverence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the title of Dharma Chakravarti during the centenary celebrations of revered Jain Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj. The event, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on June 28, 2025, marked the beginning of a year-long tribute to one of India’s most influential Jain scholars and ascetics.

The title, which translates to “Wheel of Dharma,” is traditionally bestowed upon individuals seen as upholders of righteousness and moral order. PM Modi accepted the honour with humility, dedicating it to Maa Bharati and acknowledging the spiritual legacy of the Acharya.

Key Moments from the Ceremony

- The centenary celebration was jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Culture and the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust
- PM Modi unveiled commemorative postage stamps in honour of Acharya Vidyanand Ji, alongside Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- A curated exhibition titled Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj showcased murals, paintings, and rare archival material
- The Prime Minister described the event as a sacred occasion that connects India’s living spiritual traditions with its ancient philosophical roots

Who Was Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj?

- Born in 1925 in Shedbal, Belagavi (Karnataka), he was initiated into Jain monastic life at an early age
- Memorised over 8,000 Jain Agamic verses and authored more than 50 influential texts, including Jain Darshan and Mokshamarg Darshan
- Lived a life of extreme austerity, walking barefoot across India and promoting inter-sect harmony
- Designed the official Jain Flag and Emblem during the 2500th Nirvana Mahotsav of Bhagwan Mahavir in 1975
- Played a pivotal role in identifying Basokund in Bihar as the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, officially recognised by the Government of India in 1956

PM Modi’s Reflections on the Occasion

- Recalled that June 28 also marks the date in 1987 when Vidyanand Ji was conferred the title of Acharya
- Described the moment as a pavitra dhaara—a sacred stream—linking Jain values of restraint and compassion to India’s broader spiritual ethos
- Hailed the Acharya as a Yug Purush and Yug Drashta, a visionary who shaped the moral compass of his time
- Emphasised that India’s cultural immortality lies in the teachings of its saints, sages, and acharyas

Looking Ahead: A Year of Tribute

- The centenary year will be observed from June 28, 2025, to April 22, 2026
- Planned activities include literary seminars, spiritual discourses, and cultural programs across India
- The initiative aims to deepen public understanding of Jain philosophy and its relevance in contemporary life

As India honours one of its most revered spiritual figures, the conferment of the Dharma Chakravarti title on PM Modi serves as a symbolic bridge between ancient wisdom and modern leadership.

Sources: India TV News, Times of India, Hindustan Times, MSN India, The Express Tribune, PTI, ANI