In his passing away, the heavens have been enriched but we are so much poorer. One of the most notable monks to have answered the call of Acharya Sushil Kumarji MS to travel outside India to spread the message of Bhagwan Mahavira, Muniji was a symbol of simplicity, love and peace. Peace within caused him to exude peace among all who came in contact with him.

True to his birth name, Muniji remains “Amar” in the hearts of all. His parents, Shri Motiram ji Khatri and Smt. Kartar Devi ji, were cloth merchant in Subzi Mandi near Ghantaghar, Delhi. Through a childhood friend, Muniji came in contact with Pujya Shukal Chandji Maharaj Saheb of the Sthanakvasi order when he was eleven years old. With his friend, young Amar traveled to Kandhla in Uttar Pradesh to visit Maharaj Saheb. He was so inspired by the teachings of Maharaj Saheb that he stayed at Kandhla well beyond his vacation days. Soon, he sought to obtain deeksha which was declined absent consent of the parents. On April 17, 1962, after his parents consented to his becoming a monk, Muniji took deeksha under Shukal Muniji in Ambala, India.

Muniji’s deeksha guru encouraged him to obtain secular education in addition to religious instructions. He was awarded the degree of Shastri in Sanskrit. After his deeksha guru left for his heavenly abode, Acharya Sushil Kumarji took him under his tutelage while Muniji pursued the Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Delhi University. He then pursued the degree of M.Phil. for which the title of his thesis was “Jain Muni Aachaar aur Baudh Bhikshu Vinay” (Conduct of Jain and Buddhist Monks).

Muniji gave his first discourse in USA in April 1982 in Cleveland Ohio. His extraordinary, natural dexterity in Hatha Yoga made him an instant favorite of those seeking to learn yoga. With Acharya Sushil Kumarji as his guru, he soon became a master in yoga. When in India, he had walked thousands of miles with Acharya Sushil Kumarji to remote parts of the country. When overseas, he similarly accompanied Guruji in travels to various parts of the world including Russia, Germany and Africa.

Muniji always loved to reminiscence the time spent with Acharya Sushil Kumarji. Through him, we have come to know so much more about Guruji. The spot and rock on which Guruji’s pratima is kept at Guruji’s Tapsya Sthal at Siddhachalam is the rock on which Muniji met with Guruji when Guruji once emerged from his forested meditation spot. When remembering Guruji, Muniji became emotional. Once he confided that he met with Guruji regularly at a particular spot in the Main Temple. For him, Guruji was always present. Doubtless, he has now truly joined Guruji in the heavens.

Muniji inspired the establishment of an orphanage and school in the name of his deeksha guru near Rohini, Delhi. In the U.S., some of his devotees formed nonprofits International Jain Sangh and Educare Foundation. He had a large following among non-Jains whom he inspired to be vegetarians and believers in ahimsa and anekantvad. In sharing his wisdom, Muniji was not constrained by artificial boundaries of faiths and his devotees came from all walks of life and all parts of the world, including Bahrain, Canada, Muscat and Dubai.

While visiting North America, which he regularly did during the summer, Siddhachalam was his abode. The Sthanak at Siddhachalam is a dedicated monastery and Muniji was its most frequent resident. The making of Shikharji at Siddhachalam was a source of enormous joy for him. A daily walk to each of the tonks was a must for him. He had presided over every major event associated with Shikharji at Siddhachalam and when requested, freely shared his deep insights into vastushastra and the laws associated with the different directions.