Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to unveil a monumental literary milestone later this week. He will release the 500th book authored by the revered Jain spiritual leader, Padma Bhushan Acharya Shri Ratnasundersuriswarji Maharaj Saheb. The event is scheduled for January 11 as a highlight of the Urja Mohatsav, a festival running from January 7 to 12.
From Reluctant Writer to Prolific Author
The staggering number of 500 books is not merely a count of titles but a testament to a lifetime dedicated to translating profound inner reflection into public language. The new volume, titled “World of Love, Love of the World”, has already seen its reach extended through translations into 21 different languages.
In a remarkable twist, the Acharya's formal education concluded at Class X. He vividly recalls expressing sheer impossibility to his guru, Bhuvanbhanusuriswarji Maharaj Saheb, when first asked to write. “I told him I couldn’t even write a postcard,” he shared. Unfazed by this protest, his guru offered a simple directive: to begin. “Five minutes later, I was writing,” the monk said. “And I have not stopped since.” That moment ignited a literary journey spanning decades.
A Library Spanning Over 80 Themes
The result of that initial instruction is an extraordinary body of work that stretches across more than 80 themes, genres, and preoccupations. Published in multiple languages, his writings explore a vast landscape from personal ethics and mental resilience to social behaviour and deep spiritual inquiry.
His intellectual curiosity knows few bounds. The Acharya has penned thoughts on diverse subjects including marriage, cricket, the social impact of mobile phones, and even on a public campaign he led against introducing sex education for six-year-olds in Indian schools. “I have written about things I have never lived,” he remarked, highlighting the reflective and analytical nature of his work.
Records and Recognition
This immense literary output has earned the spiritual seer two Guinness World Records, a rare honour for a Jain monk whose daily life is governed by principles of austerity, long silences, and radical simplicity. The records stand in stark contrast to his ascetic lifestyle, underscoring the global impact of his written word.
The upcoming unveiling by the Prime Minister marks a significant celebration of this unique confluence of spirituality, relentless scholarship, and literary dedication. It spotlights an individual who transformed a perceived inability into a legacy of hundreds of books, guiding readers on matters of the world and the spirit.
