The Welfare Oriented Contributions of Pujya Tai Ma Are Truly Commendable

- by Pujya Acharya Shri Shivmuniji, Head of the Shraman Sangh

The revered Acharya Shri Chandana Ji (“Padma Shri”) passed away on 22 April 2026 at 10:50 a.m. in Pune, Maharashtra. At the age of 90 years, her soul departed from this mortal world. Through a life devoted to prayer, austerity, self-discipline, silence, and service, she exhausted accumulated karmas and, moment by moment, advanced on the path of shedding karmic bondage. We offer our heartfelt appreciation and reverence for her life and accomplishments.

Acharya Shriji’s life was filled with restraint, self-discipline, spiritual practice, austerity, devotion to her Guru, and service. Her humility, appreciation of others’ virtues, and tolerance were exemplary. Having accepted initiation in childhood, she dedicated herself to serving her Gurus and inspiring people towards religion and spirituality. After initiation, she undertook deep practices of silence and meditation for twelve years.

Inspired by Upadhyay Kavi Shri Amarmuni Ji Maharaj, she carried out numerous welfare projects related to service, education, and spiritual practice in the sacred lands of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and even abroad. These projects are truly admirable and praiseworthy. She made a significant contribution to eye-care services. Her message was: “Service itself is spiritual practice, and spiritual practice itself is true religion.”

I had the privilege of meeting her personally during the Jalna Chaturmas in 1999. Her faith, sincerity, and warmth were inspiring and worthy of emulation. Although she had been physically unwell for the past few years, she remained spiritually strong.

With the passing of Acharya Shriji, the glorious tradition of Jain ascetism has suffered the loss of a great ascetic jewel. On behalf of the Shri Vardhman Sthanakvasi Jain Shraman Sangh, I offer heartfelt tribute on her passing. We pray that wherever her soul resides, it may attain peace. Completing her unfinished works and continuing along the path she showed us will be the truest tribute to her. May her soul continue its onward journey toward liberation and the fulfilment of its highest spiritual goal.

In Acharya Shriji’s final moments, the service and devotion rendered by the detached community of ascetics, as well as the staff and devotees of the Veerayatan family, are exemplary and worthy of appreciation. May all of you, accepting the supreme truth, draw inspiration from renunciation, detachment, and the ideal of transcending worldly attachments.