Shrimad Rajchandra Jivan Sadhna

This document is an excerpt from the Gujarati book Shrimad Rajchandra Jivan Sadhna by Mukul Kalarthi, published by Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram. The book appears to be a biographical and spiritual exploration of the life and teachings of Shrimad Rajchandra, a prominent Jain philosopher and poet.

Here's a summary of the provided pages:

Overall Theme: The book aims to present the life journey and spiritual practices of Shrimad Rajchandra in a simple, clear, and melodious language. It acknowledges the author's effort to portray both his worldly experiences and his profound inner spiritual life, without shying away from the latter. The preface highlights that the author relies on Shrimad Rajchandra's own writings and accounts from those who knew him.

Key Aspects and Content:

• Introduction and Foreword: The initial pages include introductory remarks and a foreword by Rasiklal C. Parikh. Parikh praises the author's approach, noting his respect for the subject and his honest depiction of Shrimad Rajchandra's life, including challenging or extraordinary experiences. He emphasizes that the author has accurately represented Shrimad's philosophy and life insights based on his writings and the testimonies of his contemporaries.

• Shrimad Rajchandra's Philosophy and Teachings: Several pages present Shrimad Rajchandra's own words on core spiritual concepts:

  • The 'Sat' (Ultimate Reality): He states that all great souls, regardless of their name or form, have revealed the same 'Sat'. This ultimate reality is to be known, believed, experienced, and cherished with love. He equates it with "Param Sat," "Param Gyan," "Param Prem," "Satchit-Anand," "Atma," "Sarvatma," and countless other names like Hari, Siddha, Ishwar, Brahman, etc., emphasizing that all descriptions point to the same singular essence.
  • Life Perspective: Shrimad expresses his detachment from worldly preferences (like or dislike) and his desire for spiritual realization beyond the physical body. He advocates for equanimity in the face of life's dualities (pleasant and unpleasant experiences arising from past karma), emphasizing that a life focused on inner peace is the true state of contentment, regardless of external circumstances.
  • Spiritual Determination: He expresses his firm conviction in achieving self-knowledge and becoming completely detached (Vitaraag), even while in a physical body. He asserts that this state is attainable and worthy of pursuit.
  • Equanimity (Samadrishti): Shrimad stresses the importance of viewing all souls with the same perspective and love as one views their own soul. He advocates for wishing the same state of blissful self-awareness for all beings as for oneself.

• Biographical Details and Life Stages: The book chronicles Shrimad Rajchandra's life, starting from his early years:

  • Parentage and Upbringing: Mentions his grandparents and parents, Ravjibhai and Devbai, highlighting their pious and service-oriented nature. It notes the divine blessing received by his mother.
  • Birth: Details his birth in Vavania on Kartik Purnima, Samvat 1924.
  • Childhood Religious Influences: Discusses the blend of Vaishnavism (from his paternal grandfather) and Jainism (from his mother and the community) that influenced his early impressions.
  • Early Spiritual Inclinations: Quotes Shrimad himself describing his childhood curiosity about devotion, his attraction to Krishna's stories, and his early preference for Jain principles over perceived flaws in other traditions.
  • Extraordinary Abilities: Highlights his exceptional memory, rapid learning, powers of concentration (Avdhan Shakti), and early intellectual prowess. Anecdotes are shared about his ability to memorize lessons after one reading, his poetic talents at a young age, and his compassionate nature that made him dear to teachers and students.
  • Experiences of Past Lives (Jati-smaran Gyan): A significant event described is his awakening to past life memories at the age of seven, triggered by witnessing a cremation. This experience solidified his understanding of reincarnation and fueled his detachment.
  • Intellectual Development during Education: Details his advanced understanding and capabilities even during his formative years, including his interactions with elders and his unique insights.
  • Avdhan Shakti (Power of Concentration): Several pages are dedicated to his extraordinary ability to perform "Ashtavdhan" (managing eight different tasks simultaneously) and later "Shatavdhan" (one hundred tasks), which astonished audiences and earned him accolades.
  • Influence on Others: The book touches upon his profound impact on prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who considered Shrimad Rajchandra his guru and found immense spiritual guidance in his teachings and life.
  • Grahastashram (Household Life): Describes his marriage to Zabbakbai and his approach to married life, emphasizing his efforts to maintain spiritual detachment and ethical conduct even within worldly responsibilities. His internal struggle and quest for ultimate detachment are highlighted.
  • Mystical Experiences: Quotes Shrimad describing intense inner experiences of light, peace, and a deep connection with the divine, often occurring after significant spiritual events or during periods of intense contemplation.
  • Moral and Ethical Teachings: Includes examples of his compassionate interactions, his emphasis on integrity in business, and his profound wisdom in guiding others. His advice on living a virtuous life, including moderation in diet, control of desires, and adherence to principles, is showcased through anecdotes.
  • Later Life and Renunciation: Details his eventual renunciation of worldly possessions and family life to pursue complete detachment and spiritual realization.
  • Memorials: Lists various institutions and places established in his memory, such as "Param Shruta Prabhavak Mandal," "Shri Subodh Pathshala," "Shri Nijabhyas Mandap," and "Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram," as well as the birthplace memorial.

• Author's Intention: The author expresses his humility in undertaking such a task, acknowledging that fully capturing the essence of a soul like Shrimad Rajchandra requires a special qualification. However, he undertook the work with the pure intention of studying and sharing Shrimad's life and teachings, hoping to inspire others to follow the path of spiritual seeking.

Overall Impression: The book is a detailed and reverent account of Shrimad Rajchandra's life, focusing on his spiritual journey, intellectual prowess, moral teachings, and profound inner experiences. It aims to be an inspirational guide for readers seeking spiritual growth. The content is rich with direct quotes from Shrimad, anecdotes illustrating his wisdom and compassion, and reflections on his enduring legacy.