Jeevan Parichay

Aryika Shri 105 Vigyanmati Mataji
Former name: Leela
Father's Name: Shri Balulal Ji
Mother's Name: Smt. Kamala Ji
Date of Birth: Miti Ashwin Shukla Panchami, 1963
Birthplace: Bhinder (Udaipur-Rajasthan)
Education: High School
Marriage: In Bhinder itself, at the age of 18, 1981
Gruh Tyag: 18 months after Marriage
Pratima Vrat: 5 Pratima in Alodh, 9 Pratima in Kuchaman
Aryika Diksha Date: 2 February 1985
Aryika Diksha Place: Kukanwali (Kuchmancity, Rajasthan)
Aryika Diksha Guru: Param Pujya Acharyakalp Shri 108 Viveksagar Ji Maharaj
Interests: Self-study, renunciation, meditation, writing
Characteristic: Discourses in a sweet, solemn mythological style
Initiated disciples: Aryika Sri Vrishabhmati, Adityamati, Pavitramati, Garimamati, Sambhavmati, Varadamati, Sharadmati, Charanmati, Karanmati, Sharanmati.

In only 18 months, while leaving the bond of marriage, she was introverted and got the blessings of Guruvar Acharyakalp Shri Viveksagar Ji Maharaj and went on the path of liberation with excellent spirit of achieving the pancham gati. On 2 February 1985, she received the post of Aryika in Kukanwali Rajasthan from Guruvar Acharyakalp Vivekasagar Ji Maharaj. Since then, she should be abiding in self-welfare and made yourself the definition of cultivation, self-control and creation.

Aryika 105 Shri Vigyanmati Mataji

(Brief Introduction)

“He who is born, by that very birth attains spiritual elevation; in this impermanent world, who indeed is there that is not born and does not die?”

The earth is called “Ratnagarbha Vasundhara”—the womb of jewels. Yet, while the earth gives birth to inanimate jewels, a tender-bodied, compassionate woman gives birth to living jewels, who illuminate not only homes and courtyards but entire villages, towns, regions, and even the nation. In her many roles—as mother, sister, daughter, wife, and daughter-in-law—a woman has always been a source of inspiration to man. However, her most influential and eternally memorable form is that of a mother. It is rightly said:
“The mother and the motherland are superior even to heaven.”

A mother nurtures and संस्कार (instills values in) the child right from the womb and can shape the child according to her wishes. If she desires, she can help the child become revered by the world; if not, she may even lead the child towards being condemned by society. Such an extraordinary, world-revered personality exists among us today—one whose mother, even during pregnancy, imparted lessons of equanimity, restraint, renunciation, selfless service, and affection, and taught her that “a soul comes into the world alone and departs alone,” and that “the soul itself is the experiencer of happiness and sorrow.”

Imbued with such teachings, that personality is today known as Aryika 105 Shri Vigyanmati Mataji, who for the past two decades has been observing the vows of an Aryika with flawless discipline, constantly engaged in her own spiritual upliftment and the welfare of others.

The seeds sown by her affectionate mother during infancy, when she was named Leela, blossomed during childhood through devotion at temples and association with monks and nuns. One day, while visiting a Jain temple, she was having the darshan of Revered Aryika 105 Shri Chandramati Mataji. At that time, she was perhaps about fourteen years old. A woman devotee asked Mataji, “Mataji, how can the bondage of female gender (strī-veda) be transcended?” Mataji replied, “Only by accepting the vows of an Aryika can the bondage of the female form be transcended.”

Upon hearing this reply, Leela made a firm resolve within her heart: “I too shall certainly accept the vows of an Aryika.”

As time passed, due to circumstances, at the age of eighteen Leela was married to a respectable young man of the same community. However, she could not develop attachment to married life, and she clearly refused to follow certain orthodox customs prevalent in her in-laws’ home. Even as a newly married bride, she respectfully yet firmly stated before the elders:
“I can bow only to the true Deity, Scripture, and Guru. I cannot offer salutations to anyone else on religious grounds.”