After Four Days of Waiting, Jain Monk Completes His Resolve as CM Nayab Singh Saini Visits Panipat Sthanak at Midnight

Haryana Chief Minister meets Dr. Rajesh Maharaj late Monday night; the monk’s vow to abstain from food and water until the meeting finally reaches its conclusion

(SDNA) Panipat, Haryana: A deeply significant moment unfolded in Panipat late Monday night when Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini arrived at the SS Jain Sabha’s Jain Sthanak in Gandhi Mandi at around midnight to meet Jain monk Dr. Rajesh Maharaj. The meeting brought an end to the monk’s four-day wait and fulfilled a personal religious resolve that had drawn attention within the Jain community.

Dr. Rajesh Maharaj had undertaken a vow that he would not consume food or water until the Chief Minister personally came to meet him. Despite the delay in the proposed meeting, the monk remained committed to his resolve. The Chief Minister’s late-night arrival ultimately brought the period of waiting to a close, paving the way for the monk’s parana, the ritual breaking of a fast.

A Cancelled Programme, an Unbroken Resolve

According to the SS Jain Sabha, Dr. Rajesh Maharaj had undertaken an abhigrah on October 8, with the completion of his resolve and the associated parana originally scheduled for October 9.

The Chief Minister’s planned participation in the Abhigrah Mahotsav was reportedly cancelled at the last moment. Rather than abandon his commitment, the monk decided to continue his fast until the meeting took place.

Members of the Jain community subsequently wrote to the Chief Minister, requesting him to visit the Jain Sthanak at Gandhi Mandi. His arrival late Monday night fulfilled the condition set by the monk and brought the prolonged wait to an end.

The episode highlighted the importance attached to personal vows, discipline and spiritual determination within Jain religious practice.

Initiated into Jain Monkhood at 27

Now 52, Dr. Rajesh Maharaj embraced Jain monkhood at the age of 27. According to information shared about his spiritual journey, he has completed approximately 2,500 abhigrahs over the past two decades.

In Jain tradition, an abhigrah is a self-imposed religious resolve undertaken with specific conditions, discipline or austerities, often connected with a spiritual objective. Such commitments are regarded as expressions of self-restraint, determination and devotion.

For Dr. Rajesh Maharaj, the latest resolve became a public example of the importance he places on fulfilling a personal commitment.

Beyond Spirituality: Art and Anti-Addiction Initiatives

The monk’s contributions reportedly extend beyond religious observances. Munish Jain, associated with the SS Jain Sabha, stated that Dr. Rajesh Maharaj has achieved five world records and created more than 3,500 paintings and drawings.

Information shared by the Sabha also states that 20,870 people in Panipat have signed pledges committing themselves to a life free from addiction as part of an anti-addiction awareness initiative.

These activities reflect the wider social dimensions of his work, combining spiritual engagement with artistic expression and public awareness.

A Midnight Meeting That Drew Community Attention

The Chief Minister’s visit at approximately midnight became a talking point among members of the Jain community. While the meeting marked the fulfilment of the monk’s specific vow, it also brought renewed attention to the role of religious discipline and the determination to honour personal commitments.

The episode in Panipat stands out for its unusual circumstances: a four-day wait, a continued fast and a late-night meeting that finally brought the monk’s resolve to its intended conclusion.

(SDNA) — Special Correspondent | Panipat, Haryana