On August 10 in Indore, 13-year-old Jain monk Vijaychandra Sagar showcased his phenomenal memory by accurately answering 100 questions posed by a large gathering of devotees. The questions spanned across subjects like religion, geography, history, mathematics, and general knowledge. What made the feat extraordinary was that he not only answered them in sequence but also repeated them in reverse and random orders.
The event, held at Abhay Prashal Stadium on Racecourse Road, witnessed a huge turnout of spectators and was monitored by representatives from the Golden Book of World Records. At the end of the event, the young monk was officially awarded a certificate and the title of “Bal Shatavdhani.”
The questioning began at 9:00 AM and lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes. However, the answers — in normal, reverse, and random order — were delivered in just 12 minutes and 7 seconds. The questions included topics such as the birthplace of Lord Mallinath, location of Shankheshwar Tirth, definitions of religious terms, river names, mountains, states, capitals, and complex math problems.
The event began with a lamp-lighting ceremony. Attendees were given notebooks and pens to note and verify the questions and answers. With each correct response, the hall echoed with applause and chants. One attendee experienced a medical emergency but was promptly attended to.
Early Life and Spiritual Journey
Born in Kota, Rajasthan, Vijaychandra Sagar uttered his first word as “Diksha” (initiation). At the age of 8, he joined his spiritual guru and received formal education in Mysore, Karnataka. He took Diksha (monastic vows) at just 10 years old, demonstrating deep devotion and commitment to Jainism. His passion for knowledge and exceptional memory has continued to grow since.
A Legacy of Avadhanis
Currently, 29 disciples are observing Chaturmas at Tilak Nagar Upashray in Indore under the spiritual guidance of Acharya Naychandra Sagar Suri. Among them, 12 disciples, inspired by Gani Dr. Ajitchandra Sagar Maharaj Saheb, have mastered the ancient Indian memory art of Shatavadhan and Sahasravadhan — the ability to memorize and recall 100 to 1000 pieces of information even with distractions. This unique tradition is gaining attention for its spiritual and intellectual depth.