Influence Of Jainism On Mahatma Gandhi

SR No.: 034277
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust
Total Pages: 18
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

Page 15

deeply engrossed in some thoughts. His eyes sparkled with magic and inner brilliance. There was a constant glow of peace and happiness on his face. They only proved the single-mindedness of his purpose. ... Histone was so sweet that one would not get tired of hearing him. His face was smiling and in full bloom and with joy. It clearly showed the inner joy and peace.
[From Gandhiji's Pen-Picture of Shrimad Rajchandra]
self-realisation. Deceit cannot last long in the presence of one who is self-realised. Untruth cannot last long in the presence of truth. Violence is defeated in the presence of non-violence. The darkness of falsehood disappears in the light of honesty. A self-realised person and a religious person immediately recognises a deceitful person and his heart fills with compassion. How can one not recognise others when one has personally experienced the self?
"He was honest in all his dealings and that was the impression I had of him. Many a time! happened to be present when he was making a deal. His words were consistent and clear. I never saw any 'smart' moves on his part. He would always recognise any such moves on the part of his opponent and he could not stand them. He would raise his eyebrows and I could trace the displeasure in his eyes."
The liberator of the soul is the soul itself.
Raichandbhai has expressed this reality in many different ways in his writings. Raichandbhai had studied many religious texts. He had no difficulty in understanding Sanskrit and Magadhi languages. He had studied Vedant, Bhagavat Gita. He used to read as many Jain books as he could obtain. His powers of comprehension were immense. It was sufficient for him to read a book only once to grasp its essence.
"There is also a belief that religious people are so innocent that anybody can cheat them; that they have no knowledge of worldly affairs. If this was true, then Lord Krishna and Lord Rama should be considered worldly. Kavishri (Shrimad) used to say that one with pure knowledge would be impossible to cheat."
In all his discussions with me, he never ever told me that I should practise a particular religion if I wanted to attain liberation. He only told me to be aware of my conduct.
A religious person may be honest but not necessarily knowledgeable. For ones liberation, there is a need for a combination of honesty and
Raichandbhai used to say many a time that different religious beliefs are like sheep pens, into which humans lock themselves. Those who have made efforts to attain liberation do not need the auspicious mark of any religion on their forehead.
Influence of
Jainism on 26 Mahatma Gandhi
Influence of
Jainism on Mahatma Gandhi 27