Mahansinh

The life of Mahansinh of Delhi exemplifies unwavering dedication to vows and the power of pratikraman (ritualized confession) in Jainism. He was highly respected for his truthfulness, piety, and philanthropy, and his fame spread far beyond the frontiers of Delhi. He was a devoted follower of Acharya Devsundersuri and Acharya Somsundersuri, prominent Jain religious leaders.

On one occasion, Mahansinh honored a large group of Sadhw-Sanyasi Gain (monks and scholars) and Hindu monks, showing his deep respect for religious figures. However, this act of charity aroused jealousy in others, leading someone to poison the emperor Firozshah Tugllaq's mind against Mahansinh, with the intention of seizing his wealth.

Summoned by the emperor, Mahansinh displayed honesty and transparency by providing an accurate account of his wealth without hiding anything. This impressed the emperor, who offered to make him a millionaire from the royal treasury as a gesture of appreciation. Firozshah admired Mahansinh's character and honored the monks and their families, showcasing his reverence for religion and religious leaders.

During a journey with the emperor's retinue, Mahansinh stopped by the wayside at sunset to perform his daily pratikraman. Despite the emperor's concern for his safety in the presence of potential enemies, Mahansinh firmly expressed that he would not abandon his religious practices, even if it meant facing death. Moved by his devotion, the emperor assigned a hundred soldiers to guard Mahansinh during his pratikraman.

To test Mahansinh's steadfastness further, the emperor imprisoned him and chained his hands and feet. Even in such challenging circumstances, Mahansinh remained devoted to his religious duties. He persuaded the jail warder to remove his chains so he could perform pratikraman, offering him two gold coins as a reward. Impressed by his unwavering devotion, the emperor honored Mahansinh with the position of treasurer, the highest honor he could bestow.

The story of Mahansinh emphasizes the importance of adhering to one's religious vows and demonstrates how dedication to one's faith can earn respect and admiration from others, even in the face of adversity. His commitment to pratikraman and his unshakable faith in religion served as an inspiration for those around him and earned him great respect and honor.