Acharya Shri 108 Kunthu Sagarji Maharaj (Dhova Gwalior)

Acharya Shri 108 Kunthusagarji Maharaj

When Acharya Shri 108 Kunthusagarji Maharaj's family was blessed with the joy of parenthood, Chhaviraj could barely contain his happiness. In celebration of becoming a father, on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of Magh (Basant Panchami) in the year 1972, he arranged for music to be played through the streets of Dhova village (Gwalior). The wise women of the village sang congratulations and advised him to name his child 'Badri.' As he played in the village streets and eventually reached school, the teacher called out, 'Badri Prasad!' Upon completing his school education, Badri Prasad felt a strong urge to leave the village. After learning a few letters from books, he realized that life was not meant to be spent merely at home but to overcome the five perversions. Though he found direction in life, he sought momentum. Then, he had the blessing of meeting the revered Acharya Shri 108 Vimal Sagar Maharaj, who provided him with the guidance he sought. Acharya Shri conferred upon him the Shullak initiation and later, at Sammed Shikhar, granted him the ascetic initiation of a Nirgrantha monk, renaming him Acharya Shri 108 Kunthusagarji Maharaj. Steadfastly climbing the steps of character, he dedicated himself to the success of his human life, recognizing that the essence of life is character. As the saying goes, "Those who have perfected their character are truly blessed; what value is there in the characterless?" Through dedicated service to his guru and constant self-study, he grasped the essence of Jain scriptures and, by authoring the book 'Sujnana Darpan,' demonstrated his scholarly acumen to society, thus reinforcing the influence of Jain teachings.