Gandhi And Jainism

Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 52

law at the High Court of Bombay. Unfortunately, he was not successful in legal practice because he refused to accept or defend cases in which there was some falsehood or impropriety or payment of commission. His inherited values conflicted with the status quo of the court system of the time.
Although his tenure as a lawyer was off to a rocky start, Gandhi's stay in India was fruitful for other reasons. He made many meaningful relationships during this time. Dr. Pranjivan Mehta, whom Gandhi had known in England, introduced him to Rajchandra", a man only one year older than Gandhi. Rajchandra was the son-in-law of the brother of Dr Pranjivan Mehta, a Jain from Morvi. Rajchandra came from the same community and area as Gandhi. Rajchandra was known as Kavi, meaning "poet,” and Shatavadhani, referring to the ability to remember a hundred things simultaneously. Rajchandra, a man of great character, having knowledge both of scriptures and business, was in search of his true Self. Gandhi interacted with him and closely observed his lifestyle. Besides observing Rajchandra, Gandhi also confronted him several times to learn the depth of his knowledge and commitment. Rajchandra remained a spiritual guide for Gandhi till Rajchandra's death in 1901. Gandhi always addressed him as Raychandbhai. A brief note on Raychandbhai is placed at Appendix II.
Another meaningful relation came through Parsee Dadabhai (whom Gandhi had already met once in England), founder of the Indian Nationalist Movement, sometimes called the "Uncrowned King of Bombay," as well as Gopal Krishna Gokhale, an Indian statesman credited with introducing educational reforms in India. Both men combined the highest wisdom and learning with the utmost simplicity and gentleness."
Disappointed by his professional experience in Bombay, he returned to Rajkot and set up his office there in partnership of a friend of his brother. He started getting petty jobs of making applications for poor customers. His brother asked him to approach the British agent there with whom he had some acquaintance in England. He unwillingly approached the agent
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