Atmagyani Shrimad Rajchandra

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text about Shrimad Rajchandra:

This text, "Atmagyani Shrimad Rajchandra" by Nalinaksh Pandya, highlights the profound spiritual legacy of Shrimad Rajchandra, a remarkable figure in 19th-century Gujarat. Unlike ascetics who dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits, Shrimad was a householder and a businessman who passed away at the young age of 33.

Born in 1867 into a simple Brahmin family, Shrimad later became a partner in a diamond and jewelry business in Bombay. Despite spending most of his life engaged in trade, he achieved an extraordinary level of spiritual knowledge and attainment due to his inherent spirituality. From the age of seven, he possessed the ability of "Jatismaran" (recalling past lives), and his intellectual prowess was exceptional. By thirteen, he demonstrated "Ashtavadhan" (the ability to perform eight tasks simultaneously), which he further developed into "Shatavadhan" (performing one hundred tasks). While he showcased "Shatavadhan" in Bombay, he later abandoned these practices, considering them hindrances to his spiritual practice.

Shrimad's thirst for knowledge led him to study various religious texts, including the Vedas, Vedanta, Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavat Purana, the Quran, and the Zend Avesta, alongside Jain Agamas. Despite his extensive knowledge of different religious traditions, he wasn't merely a scholar but emphasized spiritual experience over scriptural debates. He believed that true happiness and bliss were not found in the adherence to specific doctrines but in self-realization and inner experience. His impartial view is evident in his references to figures from various traditions like Krishna, Janak, Shankaracharya, Kabir, Mirabai, and Narsinh Mehta.

Shrimad's profound spiritual insights and his introspective way of life deeply influenced those who encountered him. Even in his youth, he garnered a significant following, and the institutions established by his disciples continue to propagate his teachings. Mahatma Gandhi considered Shrimad Rajchandra his spiritual guru, seeking guidance from him directly or through letters during his own spiritual struggles. Gandhi acknowledged Shrimad's unparalleled ability to write with authenticity, stating that he only wrote what he personally experienced, without any artificiality or desire to impress others.

While deeply devoted to Jainism, Shrimad was free from sectarian narrowness. This broadness likely stemmed from his upbringing, with his father being a Sanatani Shrimali Vaishya and his mother a Jain. Shrimad believed in a form of religiosity that transcended communal boundaries, stating that true realization cannot be achieved through the bonds of differing beliefs.

Shrimad's thoughts were primarily recorded in his personal notes and letters. His major works include "Mokshamala," "Bhavanabodh," and "Atmasiddhishastra." "Mokshamala" explains religious problems from a Jain perspective, "Bhavanabodh" offers guidance for spiritual seekers, and "Atmasiddhishastra" explains self-realization in the context of worldly life. His literary output is entirely in Gujarati, his mother tongue.

A strong spiritual longing is evident in Shrimad's writings. As a householder, he seamlessly integrated his business and spiritual pursuits. He could transition from business discussions to engaging in spiritual texts and discussions with ease. Gandhi was particularly captivated by this ability, noting that such a transition is possible only for a true spiritual master, not a mere merchant.

Shrimad's business acumen demonstrated that one could be successful in trade while maintaining ethical principles. He believed that a true self-realized soul cannot be deceived, and that a fully self-aware individual recognizes the deceit in a dishonest person. He stated that true self-knowledge inherently includes understanding oneself and others. In his Hindi poetry, he expressed this idea: "When I knew my true self, I knew the whole world; when I did not know the true self, all my knowing was futile."

In an era where many great sages and saints achieved self-knowledge by renouncing worldly ties and retreating to forests, Shrimad attained spiritual realization amidst the world's temptations and illusions, living like a lotus in water. This ability to remain detached while engaged in the world was his greatest achievement.