Acharya Vidyasagar is the best known of the modern Digambar Jain Acharyas.
He was born as Vidyadhar, Oct. 10, 1946 on sharad Purnima in Sadalaga, Dist. Belgam, Karnataka. His father was Shri Mallappa , who later became Muni Mallisagar and eventually attained samadhi. His mother Shrimati later became Aryika Samayamati, who has also attained samadhi.
He was initiated a monk by Acharya Gyansagarji in Ajmer in 1968. He was elevated to the Acharya status in 1972.
An expert in classical (Sanskrit and Prakrit) and several modern languages, Hindi, Karathi and Kannada), he has been a profic author in Hindi and Sanskrit. Several researchers have studied his works for masters and doctoral degrees. His works include:
* Sanskrit texts: Niranjana Shataka, Bhavana Shataka, Parishah Jaya Shataka, Suniti Shataka and Shramana Shataka.
* Hindi epic: Muka mati.
* Verse translations of classics: Yogasara, Ishopadesha, Samayasar (Kundakunda ka Kundan), Gomatesh thudi etc.
* Verse translation of Samana suttam
He has initiated more than 125 monks, a number unmatched in the past 9 centuries.
Because he is a wandering monk, he has no fixed address, except for the chaturmasa four months in the rainy season). For the 2005 charmasa, he is stationed at Bina-Baraha, near Deori (sagar, MP).
