In a moment of profound cultural and spiritual significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the honorary title of 'Dharma Chakravarti' during the centenary celebrations of Jain saint Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj. The event was held on 28 June 2025 and marked the beginning of a year-long tribute to one of the most revered Jain scholars and spiritual leaders in modern Indian history.

Accepting the honour with grace and humility, PM Modi stated, “I do not consider myself suitable for this. But it is our culture that whatever we receive from saints, we accept it as prasad. So, I humbly accept this prasad and dedicate it to Maa Bharati.” His remarks reflected a deep respect for India's spiritual traditions, which have always regarded such honours as divine blessings rather than personal accolades.

The ceremony was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Ahimsa Bharti Trust, Delhi, and marked a significant spiritual milestone in India’s cultural calendar. The event is part of a broader effort to commemorate the legacy of Acharya Vidyanand, a Jain monk, scholar, and ascetic whose influence continues to shape religious thought and community service in India.

During the function, PM Modi and Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released a series of commemorative postage stamps in honour of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj. These stamps, Modi said, would serve as an immortal tribute to the Acharya’s contributions, preserving his memory and teachings for generations to come.

PM Modi, known for frequently invoking India's civilizational values, took this occasion to underline the importance of saints, acharyas, and sages in shaping the country’s immortal cultural ethos. He noted, “India is the oldest living culture of the world. We have been immortal for thousands of years because our ideas, thoughts, and philosophy are immortal. The source of this philosophy is our sages, saints and acharyas.”

The spiritual significance of the date also did not go unnoticed. Modi recalled that it was on 28 June 1987 that Acharya Vidyanand Ji was conferred the title of ‘Acharya’, marking a pivotal moment in Jain history. Referring to it as a “pavitra dhaara connecting Jain culture to restraint and compassion,” he praised the Acharya’s life as an example of disciplined living, asceticism, and devotion to ahimsa (non-violence).

In conjunction with the celebrations, PM Modi and Minister Shekhawat visited a special exhibition titled "Life and Legacy of Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj". The exhibit featured murals, paintings, and historical artifacts chronicling the Acharya’s spiritual journey, his ascetic practices, and his transformative work across India.

About Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj

Born on 22 April 1925 in Shedbal, Belagavi (Karnataka), Acharya Vidyanand embraced Jain monastic life at an early age. He emerged as one of the most prolific Jain scholars of the 20th century, having memorised over 8,000 Agamic verses and authored over 50 significant texts, including Jain Darshan, Anekantavada, and Mokshamarg Darshan.

His strict observance of Jain principles such as Kayotsarga meditation, celibacy, and austerity, made him an icon of discipline and self-restraint. He travelled barefoot for decades, delivering discourses, guiding devotees, and overseeing the restoration of ancient Jain temples in Delhi, Vaishali, Indore, and Shravanabelagola.

Among his landmark contributions was his role in the identification of Kundgram (now Basokund) in Bihar as the birthplace of Lord Mahavir, a discovery officially recognised by the Government of India in 1956. His lifetime of service earned him reverence across communities and positioned him as a spiritual bridge between ancient and modern India.

A Year-Long Celebration of Values

The centenary celebrations will continue until 22 April 2026, aligning with the Acharya’s birth anniversary. Over the next 10 months, India will witness cultural, literary, educational, and spiritual events dedicated to promoting Jain values of non-violence, truth, compassion, and renunciation.

Key components of the centenary include:

• Community Service Campaigns: Activities such as blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, and free medical check-ups

• Youth Engagement Programmes: Seminars, debates, and cultural workshops for school and college students on Jain philosophy and Indian culture

• Interfaith Dialogues: Events promoting religious harmony and mutual understanding between different faith communities

• Temple Outreach Programmes: Initiatives to rejuvenate ancient Jain temples and bring them into national awareness

• Publications and Translations: Republishing Acharya Vidyanand’s works and translating key texts into various Indian languages

Through these efforts, the centenary celebrations aim not only to commemorate the legacy of Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj, but also to educate the public on Jainism’s relevance in today’s world—particularly in the realms of ecology, non-violence, minimalism, and ethical living.

PM Modi’s Spiritual and Cultural Messaging

The ‘Dharma Chakravarti’ title, literally meaning "wheel-turning monarch of righteousness", is both rare and symbolic. In Jain and Buddhist traditions, it signifies a person who upholds and spreads dharma, the cosmic law of righteousness and virtue. That it was conferred upon India’s Prime Minister by a prominent Jain religious order indicates the strong fusion between political leadership and spiritual acknowledgment in India’s cultural fabric.

By accepting the honour, PM Modi re-emphasised his government’s commitment to preserving India’s ancient traditions and integrating them into modern narratives of development and nation-building. In recent years, Modi has spoken often about India’s cultural continuity, positioning saints and sages as civilizational cornerstones.

His words and presence at the Jain centenary celebration have, once again, brought Jain philosophy into national discourse, ensuring that the teachings of Acharya Vidyanand continue to reach not only followers of Jainism but also the broader Indian society and diaspora.

In conclusion, the conferring of the 'Dharma Chakravarti' title on PM Narendra Modi during the centenary tribute to Acharya Shri 108 Vidyanand Ji Maharaj was not just an honour—it was a celebration of India's spiritual heritage, a tribute to centuries of ascetic tradition, and a reminder that India’s cultural roots remain deeply intertwined with its identity as a modern nation. The event brought together leaders, devotees, scholars, and youth, all inspired by the timeless legacy of Jain saints who continue to illuminate India's path with truth, peace, and righteousness.

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