Upadhyay Shri 108 Vibhanjan Sagarji Maharaj-1983

Upadhyay Shri 108 Vibhanjan Sagarji Maharaj

Upadhyay Shri 108 Vibhanjan Sagarji Maharaj was formerly known as Bal Brahmachari Surendra Kumar Jain (Sonu). He was born on 24 July 1983 (Guru Purnima) in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father is Shri Shikhar Chandra Jain, and his mother is Shrimati Shantidevi Jain. He completed his Master of Arts (M.A.) in Jain Philosophy. From an early age, he was deeply inclined towards religion, scriptural study, and renunciation. On 8 June 2003, he renounced worldly life to pursue the path of asceticism. He received Kshullak Diksha on 13 February 2006 at Shravanabelagola, Hassan District, Karnataka, from Param Pujya Ganacharya Shri 108 Virag Sagarji Maharaj. During his Kshullak period, he observed Chaturmas from 2006 to 2011 at several places including Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Chandigarh, actively promoting Jain Dharma and scriptural study. Later, on 27 February 2012, at Siddhakshetra Sonagiri, Datia District, Madhya Pradesh, he received Digambara Muni Diksha from the same revered Guru. As a Muni, he continued to observe Chaturmas in various cities of Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh while tirelessly spreading the teachings of Jainism.
On 13 February 2023, during the historic Viragodaya Mahamahotsav at Pathariya, Madhya Pradesh, Ganacharya Shri 108 Virag Sagarji Maharaj ceremonially conferred the prestigious monastic ranks of Acharya, Sthavir, Ganadhar, Upadhyay, Pravartak, Muni, Kshullak, and Ganani. On this memorable occasion, Muni Shri 108 Vibhanjan Sagarji Maharaj was elevated to the revered rank of Upadhyay, after which he became renowned as Upadhyay Shri 108 Vibhanjan Sagarji Maharaj. From June 2007 to March 2017, he pursued advanced scriptural studies under the holy guidance of Param Pujya Siddhant Chakravarti Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanandji Mahamuniraj. His foremost interest lies in studying and teaching Jain scriptures. He has made significant contributions to the promotion of Jain literature through numerous religious competitions based on the Harivamsha Purana, Padma Purana, Adi Purana, Uttar Purana, Tattvartha Sutra, Chhahdhala, Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, and many other classical Jain texts. He is also the author of several inspiring literary works, including Kar Lo Guruvar Ke Gunagaan, Sanskar Ke Char Charan, Sanskar Yatra, Bhakti Ke Rang Guruvar Ke Sang, Ek Shaam Guruvar Ke Naam, Vakyamritam, Gyanamritam, Vidyamritam, Samagra, Deepawali Poojan Vidhi, Chaturmas Ke Sunahare Pal, Seep Mein Moti, and Jinamritam, all of which have enriched contemporary Jain literature.