Yati Explained

Yati should not be confused with Yeti.

Yati, historically was the general term for a monk or pontiff in Jainism.^[1]

Jainism

In the late medieval period, yati came to represent a stationary monk, who lived in one place rather than wandering as required for a Jain monk.^[2] The term was more common for the Śvētāmbara monastics, but was also used by the Digambaras. The term has also been occasionally for ascetics from other traditions.^[3]

Some scholars married and were termed sansari yati^[4] or mahātmās.^{[5] [6]}

Some ruling dynasties in Rajasthan had a close relationship with yatis.^[7] Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak mentions that yatis were invited to participate in the discussion on religions.^[8]

The stationary yatis often managed institutions and properties. Some of their residences are termed jatiji in their memory.^[9]

With the re-establishment of orders of wandering (Hindi: samvegi) monks since late 19th and early 20th century, the number of yatis have declined significantly.^{[10] [11]}

Shripujya

The heads of the institutions of Śvetāmbara yatis were often termed shripujya,^[12] similar to Digambara institutions headed by the Bhattarakas. Only a celibate yati could become a shripujya. They have now been replaced by acharyas who head orders of wandering monks.

Prominent Jain yatis

• Yativṛṣabha, 500-570
• Rajendrasuri who was initiated as a yati and later helped transform the Śvetambara Mūrtipūjaka tradition in 1880.
• Yati Lavaji, the founder of the Sthānakavāsī sect about 1653
• Yati Yatanlal, (1894-1967) freedom fighter. There is an award named after him.^[13]

See also

• Yativṛṣabha
• Bhattaraka
• Mahātmā#Jain Mahatmas in Dabestān-e Mazāheb

Notes and References

1. Book: Mãrg, Volume 35, Issues 1-2. 1983. 68. Marg Publications. In sharp contrast there is also a painting in Hampi of a yati or a pontiff being taken in a procession in a palanquin..
2. Jain Yati Parampara, Agarchand Nahta, Kesarimalji Surana Abhinandan Granth, 1982, p. 71-78
3. http://dictionary.buddhistdoor.com/en/word/91233/yati Buddhist Dictionary
4. The A to Z of JainismKristi L. Wiley, Scarecrow Press, Jul 16, 2009, p. 240
5. http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/ramayana/accessible/pages21and22.html#content "Ramayana - Pages 21 and 22"
6. https://archive.org/details/39020000393960-thedabistanorsc?sequence=2 The Dabistán: Or, School of Manners: The Religious Beliefs, Observances, Philosophic Opinions and Social Customs of the Nations of the East
7. http://www.ignca.nic.in/coilnet/rj002.htm पुरालेखा स्रोत, राहुल तनेगारिया, कतिपय जैन यति भी राज परिवारों की वंशावलियां रखते थे। खरतरगच्छ के जैन यति मारवाड़ राजवंश के कुलगुरु माने जाते थे।
8. ,अकबर और तत्कालीन भारत, Ed. Irfan Habib, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt Ltd, 2009 p. 104
9. http://dainiktribuneonline.com/2012/08/भाग्योदय-संस्कार-शिविर-व/ भाग्योदय संस्कार शिविर व रक्षाबंधन पर्व आयोजित, August - 2 - 2012, रोहतक, 2 अगस्त (हप्र)। झज्जर रोड पर स्थित जैन जतीजी में जैनाचार्य गुप्तिनन्दी जी गुरुदेव ने रक्षाबंधन के पर्व पर 15 वर्ष से ऊपर की आयु के सैकड़ों गुरुभक्तों को भाग्योदय के संस्कारों से संस्कारित किया
10. The Penguin Handbook of the World's Living Religions, Penguin UK, Mar 25, 2010
11. People of India: Rajasthan, K. S. Singh, Popular Prakashan, Jan 1, 1998p. 991-994
12. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume 9, Part 1, Bombay (India: State), Government Central Press, 1901, p. 109
13. http://www.bhaskar.com/article/MAT-CHH-OTH-c-16-556869-NOR.html महासमुंद में बनने लगा जयपुर कृत्रिम हाथ,, Matrix News, Aug 05, 2013, मुख्य अतिथि श्री मालू ने कहा के यति यतनलाल समाज सेवी होने के साथ साथ एक स'चे देशभक्त थे. बचपन से समाज सेवा, देश सेवा में रूचि रखने वाले यति जी ने १७ जुलाई १९७६ में श्री विवेकवर्धन सेवा आश्रम की स्थापना कर आश्रम परिसर में सर्व सुविधायुक्त निशुल्क अस्पताल का शुभारंभ किया