Shrimad Rajchandra Prerak Prasango

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shrimad Rajchandra Prerak Prasango" (Inspiring Incidents of Shrimad Rajchandra) by Paras Jain:

Overall Purpose:

The book "Shrimad Rajchandra Prerak Prasango" compiles inspiring anecdotes and life events of Shrimad Rajchandra, a revered Jain spiritual figure. These stories, recounted by those who met him or by himself, aim to illuminate his profound spiritual state, foster deep love and unwavering faith in him, and inspire readers towards spiritual growth. The text emphasizes that knowledge without devotion is incomplete, and encourages the study and dissemination of scriptures for self-welfare and the welfare of others.

Key Themes and Content:

The book is structured to provide a multifaceted view of Shrimad Rajchandra's life and spiritual journey, touching upon various aspects:

• Early Life and Innate Spirituality:

  • Born to Ravjibhai Panchal and Devbai in Vavania, Gujarat, Shrimad Rajchandra (initially Laxmichand or Abhechand) showed extraordinary spiritual inclinations from a very young age.
  • Even as a child, he displayed profound introspection and an early questioning of mortality, asking his grandfather "what is death?" at the age of seven, right after a neighbor's demise.
  • He experienced "Jatismaranan Jnan" (knowledge of past lives) at the age of seven, which brought him peace and a deep contemplation of life's truths, shifting his focus from childhood games to profound philosophical inquiries.

• Extraordinary Abilities and Intellect:

  • Prodigious Memory and Learning: He could read a book by flipping through its pages and instantly memorize its entire content. He mastered Jain Agams in just over a year, and reportedly recited the Sutrakrutanga Sutra two thousand times.
  • Avadhan Shakti (Extraordinary Concentration): He demonstrated astonishing feats of "Avadhan" (a complex mental performance), executing as many as fifty-two Avadhans. This attracted invitations from various cities.
  • Astrology and Foresight: His father's business prospered greatly due to his business acumen, which was attributed in part to his astrological insights. He could even tell a person's birth date by merely looking at their forehead.
  • Multilingualism: He was said to be able to speak, read, and write in sixteen languages, despite formal education only in Gujarati.

• Spiritual Inclinations and Renunciation:

  • Spiritual Quest: From the age of thirteen, he was engaged in a deep search for the true religion, concluding that the Vitrag Shasan (Jainism) was the ultimate truth.
  • Detachment from Worldly Possessions: Despite experiencing great wealth and fame, he remained detached from worldly luxuries, considering gold as mere grass. His conversations often revolved around spiritual contemplation and self-reflection.
  • Desire for Renunciation: He expressed a desire to take up "Vanvas" (living in the forest) to the extent that his mother felt compelled to give her permission.
  • Udasinata (Detachment): Even while engaged in worldly affairs like jewelry trading in Mumbai, his focus remained on the soul, and he would often retreat to nature for spiritual contemplation.

• Family Life and Interactions:

  • Marriage: At the age of twenty, he married Zablakbai, the daughter of Popatlal Mehta, elder brother of Rewashankar Jagjivan Mehta. He had two sons and two daughters.
  • Family Interactions: Despite being a householder, he maintained an ascetic demeanor. His mother, Devbai, recounted his profound questions about Moksha (liberation) and his desire to show her the way. He also displayed great compassion, advising his daughter-in-law to practice devotion to her mother-in-law, stating it was more meritorious than pilgrimages.
  • Compassion and Ethics: He showed deep compassion even towards his deceased neighbor's pet, and emphasized honesty, truthfulness, and detachment from worldly possessions in his teachings and interactions.
  • Influence on Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi highly admired Shrimad Rajchandra, considering him a significant influence who taught him the virtues of unwavering detachment, compassion even for wrongdoers, and the importance of experiencing truth firsthand in his writings. Gandhi found Shrimad's life to be a rich source of learning.

• Key Writings and Teachings:

  • Mokshmala: Composed at the remarkable age of 16 years and 5 months, this work exemplified his profound detachment.
  • Aishth siddhi Shastra (Self-Realization Scripture): Created in Vikram Samvat 1952, this scripture is considered the essence of the fourteen Purvas, guiding towards the supreme self.
  • Emphasis on Shraddha (Faith): The book highlights the importance of unwavering faith in Shrimad Rajchandra as a pathway to Samyak Darshan (right perception), which leads to self-experience and ultimately to Kevalgyan (omniscience).
  • Bhakti (Devotion): Shrimad's writings are presented as pure experience, devoid of artificiality, with the purpose of sharing spiritual bliss with readers.
  • His ultimate message: He declared himself to be "another Shri Rama or Shri Mahavir" in this challenging era, having attained the state of the Supreme Self.

• Miraculous Accounts and Testimonials:

  • The book is filled with numerous anecdotes illustrating his profound spiritual powers, detachment, wisdom, and compassion. These include instances of his ability to recall past lives, perform Avadhan feats, predict future events, and his selfless service to others.
  • The accounts from his mother, son, daughter, and close disciples like Somchand Mahasukhram, Hathibhai Dhrub, and Vrajbhai Patel, shed light on his divine nature and his impact on their lives.

• Final Moments:

  • Shrimad Rajchandra attained liberation at the age of 33 years and 5 months, leaving behind a legacy of profound spiritual teachings. His passing was marked by an aura of peace and radiance, astonishing even those who were not spiritually inclined.

Structure and Presentation:

The book is presented as a collection of these "Prasangos" (incidents) attributed to the direct disciples or those who closely encountered Shrimad Rajchandra. It is enhanced with numerous illustrations, featuring various depictions of Shrimad Rajchandra, his mother, and other significant figures. The inclusion of titles for each anecdote facilitates easier understanding and creates curiosity for further insights.

Publisher and Origin:

Published by Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, the catalog link provided is from JainQQ.org, indicating a source focused on Jain religious texts. The book is presented as being compiled by Parasbhai Jain and published by Shrimad Rajchandra Janm Bhuvan, Vavania.

In essence, "Shrimad Rajchandra Prerak Prasango" serves as a hagiography, aiming to inspire readers through the extraordinary life and teachings of Shrimad Rajchandra, underscoring his role as a spiritual guide and beacon of wisdom for those seeking spiritual liberation.