Bhaktmal : Acharya Vidyasagar
Real name - Vidyadhar
Other name - Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj, Acharya Shri 108 Vidyasagarji Maharaj
Guru -
Acharya GyansagarJi Maharaj
Disciple - Muni Sudhasagarji, Muni Pramansagarji, Muni Kshamasagarji
Aradhya -
Digambara in Jainism
Birth -
Sharad Purnima, 10 October 1946
Death - 18 February 2024
Place of Birth - Sadalga, Belgaum district, Karnataka
Marital Status - Unmarried
Language - Kannada, Prakrit, Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi
Father - Mallappa
Mother - Aryika Samayamati
Famous - Digambar Monk, Spiritual Saint in Jainism
Notable work - Mukamati (silent soil)
Acharya Shri Vidyasagarji Maharaj is a Digambar Jain Acharya (Digambara Jain monk). He is recognized for both his scholarship and penance. He was given the status of Acharya in 1972.
As an Acharya he does not eat salt, sugar, fruits, milk, oil, ghee, besides traditionally prohibited items like onion. He leaves the Shravakas for food at around 9:30-10:00 in the morning, which means (vrat of Sallekhna). Who takes food in his palm once a day, one morsel at a time. He is a great Acharya of Digambar Jain sect.
An expert in classical (Sanskrit and Prakrit) and several modern languages, Hindi, Marathi and Kannada, he has been a prolific writer in Hindi and Sanskrit. Acharya Vidyasagarji has been a source of inspiration for the people by establishing institutions for the welfare of the people at various places. The specialty of their Sangha is that till now all the initiated disciples are child celibates.
In 2016, Acharya Vidyasagarji's Chaturmas was in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where he was accompanied by 38 monks. He delivered his sermon in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on 28 July 2016 on the special invitation of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met him during his visit to Bhopal in 2016. He has a lot of followers including national politicians and international politicians.