Vijay Nityanand Surishwar
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj | |
|---|---|
| Title | Acharya |
| Personal life | |
| Born | August 3, 1958 |
| Known for | Jain religious leadership, social work |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Jainism |
| Denomination | Śvetāmbara |
| Sect | Murtipujak |
| Religious career | |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2025) |
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj is an Indian Jain monk and religious leader associated with the Shwetambar Murtipujak tradition of Jainism. In 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in recognition of his contributions to social work.[1][2][3]
Early life
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji was born as Praveen Kumar on Shravan Vad 4, Vikram Samvat 2015, into a Jain family originally from Zira, Punjab.[4] His parents were Lala Chimanlal and Rajrani. The family later resided in Delhi.[4]
On the advice of Jain monk Muni Prakash Vijay Ji, the family moved to Hastinapur, where Lala Chimanlal undertook voluntary service at a Balashram. All three sons received their early education there and were exposed to Jain religious practices and monastic discipline.[4]
Over time, the family decided to adopt ascetic life. Despite objections raised by some members of society due to the young age of the children, the family proceeded with initiation. A collective initiation ceremony was held on Margashirsha Shukla 10, Vikram Samvat 2024, at Baraut, Uttar Pradesh, under the guidance of Acharya Vijay Samudra Surishwar Ji.[4]
At the age of nine, Praveen Kumar was initiated as Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji. The initiation took place within the Tapa Gaccha tradition, in the monastic lineage descending from Acharya Vijayanandsuri (Atmaramji Maharaj) through his disciple Acharya Vijay Vallabhsuri.[4]
The initiation involved several members of his immediate family, who adopted monastic vows together. His father, Lala Chimanlal, adopted monastic life under the name Muni Anekant Vijay Ji.[4] His mother, Rajrani, also entered ascetic life and was initiated as Sadhvi Amitguna Shri Ji.[4] His elder brother Anil Kumar was initiated as Muni Jayanand Vijay Ji and later attained the rank of Acharya.[4] His second elder brother Sunil Kumar was initiated as Muni Dharmadhurandhar Vijay Ji and later attained the rank of Acharya.[4] He himself, born as Praveen Kumar, was initiated into monastic life as Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji and later attained the rank of Acharya.[4]
Following initiation, Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji was formally designated a disciple of Muni Anekant Vijay Ji and a grand-disciple of Acharya Vijay Samudra Surishwar Ji, in accordance with monastic custom.[4]
Monastic education and early responsibilities
Following his initiation in 1967 CE (Vikram Samvat 2024), Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji pursued formal monastic education under the supervision of Acharya Vijay Samudra Surishwar Ji. His studies included Sanskrit and Prakrit languages, Jain philosophy, classical religious literature, and elements of history, as recorded in monastic accounts.[4]
During his early monastic years, he was also assigned practical responsibilities within the monastic order. By approximately 1971 CE, at the age of about thirteen, he began assisting with written correspondence and administrative communication on behalf of his preceptor. These responsibilities were undertaken alongside continued scriptural study and observance of monastic discipline.[4]
After the decline in health of Acharya Vijay Samudra Surishwar Ji, the care and supervision of younger monks were entrusted to Acharya Janakchandra Surishwar Ji. During this period, Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji continued his studies and monastic duties under this guidance, focusing on religious education and institutional service within the monastic community.[4]
Elevation to senior monastic positions
Muni Nityanand Vijay Ji was progressively elevated within the Jain monastic hierarchy over several decades. These appointments followed established Tapagaccha traditions and were conferred in formal ceremonies.
• In Vikram Samvat 2044 (circa 1987–1988 CE), he was conferred the rank of Gaṇi at Thane (Mumbai) by Acharya Vijay Indradinna Surishwar Ji.[4]
• In Vikram Samvat 2047 (circa 1990–1991 CE), he was elevated to the rank of Paṇyās at Vijay Vallabh Smarak, Delhi.[4]
• On Vaishakh Sud 2, Vikram Samvat 2050 (circa 1993 CE), he was conferred the title of Acharya at Palitana, in the presence of members of the fourfold Jain community. At this time, he was assigned responsibilities related to religious instruction and organizational oversight in regions of Punjab and North India.[4]
Monastic lineage
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji belongs to the Tapagaccha sect of Jainism. His monastic lineage traces through Acharya Vijay Vallabh Suri, a disciple of Acharya Vijayanand Suri (Atmaramji Maharaj), within a succession associated with institutional development and monastic organization in North India.
Following the death of Acharya Vijay Indradinna Surishwar Ji in 2002 CE, senior members of the monastic community requested Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji to assume broader leadership responsibilities. With the concurrence of community elders, he was formally installed as Gachchhadhipati on Paush Sud 6, Vikram Samvat 2061 (circa January 2005 CE) at Vijay Vallabh Smarak, Delhi. His installation ceremony was followed by the conferment of the Gachchhadhipati title at Samana, Punjab.[4]
Religious and social work
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar has been engaged in religious discourse and spiritual teaching within the Jain community. He holds the ecclesiastical title of "Gachchadhipati," which denotes his leadership within a monastic lineage.[5]
In addition to his religious leadership, he has been involved in healthcare and humanitarian work. Notably, he played a key role in establishing and inaugurating a 108-bed child hospital in Jamui, Bihar, in 2023, aimed at providing medical services to underprivileged communities.[6][7]
He frequently travels across Indian states, including Rajasthan and Bihar, conducting religious events, spiritual discourses, and social service activities.[8]
Recognition
Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj was honored with the Padma Shri in 2025 by the Government of India for his service in the field of social work.[1][2][9][10][11]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Padma Awards 2025: A complete list of winners". The Indian Express. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Padma Awards 2025 announced". Press Information Bureau. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2025 Notification" (PDF). Padma Awards. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Chidānand Vijay. Mahāvīr Pāṭ Paramparā (PDF) (in Hindi). Jaitpura, Rajasthan: Shri Vijay Vallabh Sādhana Kendra. pp. 289–292. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Acharya Nityanand Suriji". Jainsite. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "विजय नित्यनंद सुरिश्वर जी महाराज ने किया 108 बेड के बाल अस्पताल का उद्घाटन". Live Hindustan (in Hindi). 11 December 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "जैन मुनि आचार्य विजय नित्यानंद सूरीश्वर महाराज को मिला पद्मश्री: जमुई में खुशी का माहौल". दैनिक भास्कर. दैनिक भास्कर. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Maharaj enters Rajasthan". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Jain Acharya Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji declared Padma Shri awardee". Thar Express News. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "बिहार के दो लोगों को मिलेगा पद्मश्री पुरस्कार, भोजपुर और मुजफ्फरपुर की इन हस्तियों के नाम का हुआ ऐलान". ABP Live (in Hindi). 25 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Padma Awards 2025: President Confers India's Highest Civilian Honour On 139 Awardees — Check Full List". NDTV Profit. NDTV. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.