Tran Smarano

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Tran Smarano" (Three Recollections) by Sukhlal Sanghavi, focusing on his encounters with a person referred to as "Kant":

Overall Theme: The text describes the author's three encounters with a highly learned and influential individual named Kant, and the lasting impressions these meetings left on him. The author emphasizes Kant's intellectual depth, keen observational skills, and profound understanding of nationalistic ideals.

Author's Intent: Sukhlal Sanghavi clarifies that he is not presenting an opinion based on Kant's published works or secondhand accounts. Instead, he aims to briefly narrate the direct personal interactions he had with Kant and the impact these had on him, both at the time and later.

The Three Encounters:

• First Encounter (Approximately 13 years prior, in Bhavnagar during summer):

  • This meeting occurred at the Atmanand Jain Sabha and was arranged by a group of friends who were scholars.
  • Sanghavi felt he was being tested or questioned by Kant. He speculates that the friends might have orchestrated this meeting to have Kant assess him.
  • During this interaction, Kant posed classical questions about "Pramanya" (authority or authenticity), which are detailed in a book called "Kantmala."
  • Sanghavi perceived Kant as a strict but affectionate examiner. He was deeply impressed by Kant's extensive knowledge ("bahushrutpana") and profound contemplation ("gahan manan").
  • This experience revealed to Sanghavi that even in a commercially and British-influenced Gujarat, there were hidden intellectual gems dedicated to the deep study of various branches of knowledge. He noted Kant's inquisitiveness and critical eye ("parikshak drishti").

• Second Encounter (Around 1921-22, during the Non-Cooperation movement):

  • This meeting was unplanned, occurring on the street when a friend drew Kant's attention to Sanghavi.
  • After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Kant expressed a desire to meet again before they parted ways.
  • From this encounter, Sanghavi realized that Kant was a deeply contemplative individual, whose thoughtful nature was evident even in casual conversation.

• Third Encounter (Around 1922-23, for a public meeting):

  • Sanghavi was invited to deliver a lecture for a public gathering organized to commemorate Gandhiji's birthday.
  • He later learned that Kant was instrumental in arranging this invitation, as he was the secretary of that organization.
  • The lecture was on the relationship between religion and practice. The chairman of the meeting was a learned Maulvi.
  • When Kant, as the secretary, stood to give the concluding remarks, his speech, lasting less than five minutes, left a profound impact on Sanghavi.
  • Sanghavi was particularly struck by Kant's precision: no sentence was redundant or insufficient, his thoughts and language were perfectly coherent, nothing was irrelevant or uninteresting, and his delivery lacked artificiality, tribalism, or sectarian bias. He spoke truth without hesitation or fear.
  • Sanghavi considers Kant's speaking style to be unique among Gujarati speakers he has heard.

Deeper Impressions from the Latter Two Encounters:

• Nationalism: The latter two encounters solidified Kant's impact on Sanghavi regarding his views on nationalism.
• Personal Qualities: Despite being a poet, writer, contemplative scholar, and philosopher of nature, Kant possessed exceptional qualities of acknowledging merit in others ("gunagnata"), understanding the times ("samayagnata"), and humility.
• Admiration for Gandhi: Sanghavi clearly observed that Kant was genuinely impressed by Gandhiji's principle of non-violence and his thoughtful approach to national affairs.
• Significance of Khadi: The fact that Kant considered Khadi more vital and important than luxurious fabrics like Kinakhāb (brocade), Atlas, or Chik was, in Sanghavi's view, sufficient to understand Kant's astute understanding of the prevailing times.

Conclusion: The text paints a portrait of Kant as a man of immense intellect, profound contemplation, and deep conviction, particularly in his understanding of nationalistic ideals and the significance of contemporary movements and symbols like Khadi. The author's personal encounters reveal a highly respected and influential figure whose insights left a lasting mark.