Shrimad Rajchandra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text about Shrimad Rajchandra, based on the "Shrimad Rajchandra" book by the JAINA Education Committee:

This document introduces Shrimad Rajchandra (1867-1901) as a highly revered Jain sage of modern times, renowned for his profound contributions to Jain philosophy and literature. He was a multifaceted personality: a philosopher, poet, social reformer, thinker, and a self-realized saint. His spiritual life significantly influenced Mahatma Gandhi, who considered him his spiritual guide. Shrimad Rajchandra's teachings, rooted in his life experiences, continue to inspire many Jain and Hindu aspirants seeking spiritual awakening and self-realization.

Early Life and Spiritual Awakening: Born Laxminandan and later named Raichand, then Rajchandra, he was born on November 9, 1867, in Gujarat, India. Raised in a family with both Vaishnav (Hindu) and Jain influences, he developed an early interest in reading. The Jain Pratikraman Sutras particularly touched him with their emphasis on kindness to animals and forgiveness. His innate draw to Jainism was fueled by its focus on self-knowledge, self-control, penance, detachment, and meditation. A pivotal moment occurred at age seven when, after witnessing a cremation, he experienced a profound recollection of past lives, realizing the pain of the cycle of birth and death and awakening his desire for liberation from karma.

Exceptional Abilities and Social Engagement: Rajchandra displayed exceptional intellectual gifts from a young age, completing seven years of schooling in two years. He also demonstrated precocious talent in poetry and social commentary, writing on issues like female literacy and child marriages. By eighteen, he possessed extraordinary abilities, including precognition, synesthesia (identifying books by touch, knowing food tastes without tasting), and proficiency in astrology. He was deeply compassionate and a strong advocate for non-violence.

Family and Business: He married Zabakben in 1888 and had four children. Shrimad Rajchandra entered the gemstone business in Mumbai at twenty, demonstrating exceptional honesty, ethics, and business acumen, which led to significant success. However, he retired from business at the young age of thirty-one in 1899, dedicating himself fully to spiritual pursuits.

Power of Avadhän (Multi-tasking): At seventeen, Shrimad Rajchandra discovered his remarkable ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, known as Avadhän. He could manage up to 52 tasks and, at nineteen, famously performed "Shatävdhän" (100 tasks) in Mumbai before prominent dignitaries. These tasks included complex mental calculations, composing poetry on demand, and recalling information from various languages, even those he hadn't formally studied. Despite lucrative offers to demonstrate these talents internationally, he declined, prioritizing his spiritual progress and adherence to Jain principles. He eventually ceased these public displays as he felt they brought only material benefits and distracted him from his life's true purpose.

Literary Contributions: Shrimad Rajchandra's literary output is rich and deeply spiritual. He wrote prolifically in Gujarati and Hindi, presenting the teachings of Bhagavan Mahavir in accessible prose and poetry. Key works include:

Moksha-mälä (Garland of Liberation): Composed at sixteen, this work, along with its compendium Bhāvanā-bodh, explains Jainism in great detail through 108 lessons.
Ātmasiddhi-shāstra: An epic poem composed in 1896, it scientifically details the soul, its existence, karma, and the path to liberation. It highlights Jainism's inclusive philosophy, particularly its concept of Anekāntavāda.
Apurva-avasar: His final major compilation, this poem describes the fourteen stages of spiritual progress towards ultimate liberation and was included in Gandhiji's Ashram prayer book.
Vachanamrit: A compilation of over thirty-five poems and nearly 950 letters, reflecting a high level of spirituality and offering guidance for self-realization.

Influence on Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi held Shrimad Rajchandra in immense reverence, considering him his spiritual guide. He credited Shrimad with shaping his understanding of compassion and non-violence, and his writings helped Gandhi reaffirm his own faith amidst external pressures.

Spiritual Progress and Renunciation: Shrimad Rajchandra achieved Samyak Darshan (Right Faith or Intuition) at twenty-three. He gradually detached himself from the material world, immersed himself in scriptures, cultivated virtues, and dedicated himself to meditation. He spent extended periods in isolation, practicing severe austerities like eating only one meal a day and sleeping minimally. At twenty-eight, he attained a high state of self-realization. He wished to renounce worldly life completely and become a monk, but his mother's refusal prevented this formal step. His health declined, and he passed away at thirty-three in 1901.

Key Followers: Despite his desire for privacy, several individuals recognized his spiritual stature and became devoted followers:

Shri Sobhagbhai: A devoted elder who recognized Shrimad's realized state and inspired the composition of Ātmasiddhi-shāstra.
Shri Laghuraj Swami: A Sthānakavāsi Jain monk whose devotion faced challenges but who later established the Agäs Ashram, instrumental in preserving and disseminating Shrimad's writings.
Shri Ambälälbhai: A loyal disciple who sacrificed a legal career for Shrimad's service and was crucial in publishing his letters and writings.
Shri Joothäbhai: The first to acknowledge Shrimad's divinity, their close spiritual mentorship was tragically short-lived due to Joothäbhai's early death.

Teachings and Contributions: Shrimad Rajchandra's teachings are grounded in Bhagavan Mahavir's principles. He emphasized:

Morality: Good conduct, compassion for all beings, and avoiding harm.
Human Life: Recognizing its preciousness for achieving permanent happiness, which is often lost due to attachment to worldly desires.
Non-attachment (Vairāgya): Essential for eternal happiness and true knowledge of the self. Renunciation without the pursuit of knowledge is considered incomplete.
Knowledge and Wisdom: The importance of true knowledge for controlling external feelings, reducing worldly attachments, and revealing truth. Self-knowledge is paramount.

Legacy: Shrimad Rajchandra was a multifaceted spiritual master, poet, reformer, and advocate of non-violence who respected all religions. Though his greatness wasn't fully recognized during his lifetime, his profound spiritual insights, particularly his emphasis on the necessity of a Sadguru (true teacher) for spiritual progress and liberation, continue to resonate. He humbly declined to formally preach to the masses, believing he lacked the formal vows of sainthood, and wished to do so after renouncing worldly life. His extensive writings remain invaluable spiritual gifts, offering accessible explanations of Jainism and the inner state of a realized soul.