On Bikram Sambat 1974 Marg Krishna Saptami (December 5th, 1917), the then famous astrologer, Madhavraj Joshi, was asked to the make the birth chart of a child born on that day. After examining the birth chart, he delightedly revealed – “Oh, this child is blessed with good fortune. In his lifetime, he will achieve great things. His fame will spread far and wide.”Upon learning their child’s promising future, the parents, Bhajuratna Kansakar and Gyanmaya Kansakar, were overjoyed and named their son Maniharsha Jyoti – meaning gem (Mani) of happiness (Harsha).

Although the astrologer predicted a bright future, Maniharsha Jyoti’s childhood was not a happy one. A devastating fire broke out in Keltole Machendra Bahal, where shops run by Bhajuratna and his older brother Kulratna, along with two other shops they managed by workers burnt to the ground, including stocks of cloths and raw yarn.

As the terrible fire burned several houses, the house at Takhache, where Maniharsha Jyoti was born, was left untouched. Some said it was divine intervention while others reasoned it was saved because for generations the family made bronzeware in the house. Whatever the reason, for months as the fire ravaged the neighborhood, the house at Takhche remained unharmed.

When Maniharsha Jyoti was twenty months old, his mother passed away while observing the Gunla Dharma fast. Thereafter, he grew up living sometimes at his home and sometimes at his maternal and granduncle’s home.

It became difficult for Bhajuratna to run his business in Kathmandu. In search of better opportunities, he left for Kalimpong, where he set up a pots and pans shop. He left his young son under the care of his older brother, Kulratna Kansakar.

When Maniharsha Jyoti was five years old, he was enrolled at the Ghantaghar school run by Nepal’s internationally renowned scholar Siddhiharsha Bajracharya (Babukaji Guruju). Sometime later, his father decided to bring him to Kalimpong and enroll him in a school there.

Bhajuratna vowed not to return to Kathmandu until he had paid off the loan that he had taken after the devastating fire, while his son Maniharsha Jyoti vowed not to return to Kathmandu until he had passed his Matriculation (class 10 exams). For this reason, he and his brothers did not return to Kathmandu for their Ketapuja (coming of age) ceremony. His Ketapuja ceremony took place much later.

After earning from his business, Bhajuratna sent his teenage son to Kathmandu to repay the loans. Maniharsha Jyoti returned to Kathmandu and repaid the loans taken by his uncle and father. After receiving the payment for what was once considered a default loan and impressed by the teenager’s speech and manner, the creditors accepted the money and forgave the rest of the loan.

Around the same time, the devastating earthquake of 1990 BS (1934 AD) shook and damaged many houses in Kathmandu. The news of the devastation spread throughout the country and abroad. Hearing the news, Bhajuratna worried about his family living there and anxious if his son had paid off the loan, secretly travelled to Kathmandu and once he was satisfied, returned to Kalimpong.

It is said a motherless child goes astray, but the motherless Maniharsha Jyoti was polite, dutiful and disciplined even from a young age. He would not eat until he had bowed his father’s feet in respect.

After passing his Matriculation in Kalimpong, Maniharsha Jyoti went to Calcutta for his higher studies. There, he stayed at the then well-known Dharmaman Sahu’s Kothi (office with residence), cooking morning and evening meals for all those who lived there. He studied till B. Com at Calcutta University.

At the time, Jagatman, son of the prominent physician Brishman Vaidya of Lalitpur, took up the name Dharma Aditya Dharmacharya and studied comprehensively Theravada Buddhism and established the Buddha Dharma Support Association in India. He published a monthly Buddhist magazine called ‘Buddha Dharma’ in Nepali Bahasa (Newari). Young Maniharsha Jyoti accepted Dharma Aditya Dharmacharya as his teacher and studied Buddhism under him. He helped his teacher working on the magazine ‘Buddha Dharma Wo Nepal Bhasa’. During this time, he was greatly influenced by Theravada Buddhism and, developed a love for his mother tongue.

Under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, the Indian independence movement was in full swing at that time. As a student, Maniharsha Jyoti actively participated in the freedom movement. He was a devout follower of Gandhi, and wore khadi kurta-pajamas or dhoti with a Gandhi cap. He continued to wear the white Gandhi cap even after returning to Kathmandu. His elder sisters used to weave white clothes at home and send them to him from Kathmandu. Love for his country, the need for independence and national development were lessons that he learnt in Calcutta. As a student, Maniharsha Jyoti actively participated in the freedom movement. He was a devout follower of Gandhi, and wore khadi kurta-pajamas or dhoti with a Gandhi cap. He continued to wear the white Gandhi cap even after returning to Kathmandu. His elder sisters used to weave white clothes at home and send them to him from Kathmandu. Love for his country, the need for independence and national development were lessons that he learnt in Calcutta.

After completing his studies, Maniharsha Jyoti went to Kalimpong to help his father with his business. As he achieved success in business, he opened offices in Lhasa, Calcutta and various other places in India. He continued to make progress in business. Afterwards, he returned to Kathmandu and opened industries that did well in meeting the needs of the nation.

When Maniharsha Jyoti lived in Kalimpong and Calcutta, his home was always open for meals to Buddhist monks and visiting travelers.

For the propagation and promotion of Theravada Buddhism, he gave large sums of donations and alms. He secretly funded political parties and activists abroad to establish democracy in Nepal. He continued to support the political parties even later.

During his stay in India and after returning to Kathmandu, he aided associated organizations to uplift his mother tongue Nepal Bahasa, which was suppressed by the then government.

He did as much as he could for the development of religion (Buddhism and Vedic), culture, language (Nepali, Newari, Tamang, Tharu) in Nepal by giving advertisements and financial assistances to newspapers and magazines, publishing books and running institutions. He promoted social causes by serving in official positions in hospitals, universities, religious, cultural and welfare organizations.

Maniharsha Jyoti earned a place in the hearts of the people with his gentle behavior, cordial disposition and his service to the community and the nation.

For his accomplishments, he was regarded as Nepal’s gem (Mani) to some, happiness (Harsha) to a few and light (Jyoti) to others. During his lifetime, he earned the respect of the people. He was awarded the nation’s highest honors.

On 2049 BS Magh 3 (January 16th, 1992), Maniharsha Jyoti departed this world, leaving a mark in the nation’s development and people’s memory.