A Reverential Tribute
– by Sadhvi Shri Shilapiji
Who says she is no longer among us?
Who says she has departed?
Who says she has left us behind?
Close your eyes and reach out to her with the deepest feelings of your heart - she is still here.
That divine voice, that gentle touch, that unforgettable presence - they remain with us and always will.
On the auspicious morning of 22 April, at 10:50 a.m., nature itself seemed to fall silent. The winds became still. The birds seemed to cease their song. It was as though the world itself had paused, for a great visionary and guide of the age was entering Mahasamadhi.
Through her vision, courage, and farsightedness, she added a golden chapter to Jain history. She transformed the direction of society's thinking and introduced a new dimension to spiritual practice.
Spiritual practice can certainly be undertaken with closed eyes. But Tai Ma taught us a new vision - to practice spirituality with open eyes. She carved a path through the mountains of rigid tradition, not through conflict or stubbornness, but with love, goodwill, and motherly affection.
This was possible because the guiding principle of her life was simple: The solution to every problem and every challenge in life lies in the power of love.
The first Tirthankara, Bhagwan Rishabhdev, taught: “Have neither attachment nor aversion.” The twenty-fourth Tirthankara, Bhagwan Mahavir, taught the same truth. Then why were there twenty-four Tirthankaras?
Acharya Samantabhadra explained: ‘Tirthankaras express Dharma according to the needs of time and place.’ They re-establish and reinterpret religion according to the requirements of each era.
With humility, I would say that Tai Ma performed a similar role. Society had, in many ways, become stagnant and constrained by rigid traditions. Tai Ma challenged that stagnation. She taught us that religion is not merely about how we sit, stand, eat, or perform rituals.
Religion is friendship, love and compassion. At the heart of religion stand these eternal values. Customs and traditions have their place, but they are time-bound and changeable. Sometimes we become trapped by tradition and mistake it for religion itself. Tai Ma moved beyond rigid customs and connected herself with the timeless values of religion. Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir's message of universal friendship, she expanded her work throughout society.
Who is truly religious? The one who unites people. Who is irreligious? The one who divides them. Tai Ma devoted her life to bringing people together. Through the thread of her love, she united thousands upon thousands of people and offered the world the beautiful bouquet called Veerayatan, fragrant with compassion and selfless service.
You are extraordinary, Tai Ma. You are beyond description. Thousands upon thousands of salutations to you. This entire Sadhvi Sangh bows at your feet with gratitude and reverence.
You entrusted us with the noble mission of selfless service. You gave us the rare opportunity to work for the welfare of humanity and society. The path of selfless service is a divine gift to us. We are grateful and deeply moved - no words can adequately express this grace. Tai Ma, if we have committed any mistakes in your presence or failed in any way, we all seek your forgiveness.
Tai Ma, understanding you was not easy. Keeping pace with you was difficult. Yet you gave us direction. You gave us momentum. You gave us courage.
Therefore, we say:
She who never knew how to stop -
blessed is the name Acharya Chandanaji.
A heartbeat that will never cease -
sacred is the name Acharya Chandanaji.
She whose life's creed was "Charaiveti, Charaiveti" - ever onward, ever onward -
that divine name is Acharya Chandanaji.
Tai Ma, your journey will not come to an end.
The seeds you planted will grow into mighty banyan trees, providing shelter to humanity for generations to come. The lamp of noble action that you kindled will continue to illuminate the world through the ages. The path of friendship and love that you showed will forever remain a beacon for humankind.
Tai Ma, perhaps this voice is mine, but these words truly belong to every Sadhvi present here - they are the collective voice of all. Your Sadhvi Sangh stands united, with unwavering devotion and shared resolve, committed to carrying this work forward and expanding it. Tai Ma, this journey will continue to grow; it will not stop. This is our tribute, this is our prayer, this is our heartfelt offering.
Tai Ma, we bow to you again and again, offering our deepest reverence and countless salutations.