________________
sources, was instrumental in his formulating the concepts, of Ahimsa, soul, God, Truth, fasting, celibacy, observance of vows and religious harmony. Their task, as well as of Indian academicians, became difficult perhaps due to the lack of English speaking Jain scholars and negligible availability of literature on Jainism in English. Vinoba Bhave did make an effort to motivate Jains to work together to compile a book like the Gita on Jainism. 'Saman Suttam' was published by Sarva Seva Sangh Varanasi as a comprehensive compilation in four chapters of verses and stanzas extracted from Jain canonical and sacred literature. A number of Jains like Kumar Pal Desai, and a few PhD dissertations at University of Madras and Jain Vishwa Bharti did make attempts to analyze impact of Jainism and particularly of Rajchandra on Gandhi. In 2005, Professor Satish Sharma wrote an excellent book 'Gandhi's Teachers: Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta' which was very helpful in this research.
Gandhi understood Jain principles very well, particularly those related to soul, Ahimsa, Anekanta, Aparigraha, fasting and brahmacahrya primarily through his interactions with Rajchandra during 1881-1891 and many other sources in his childhood. He adopted these principles in his personal life as well as improvised them to apply in public life and for use by his followers. In this regard we may cite some examples of his own life such as his public declaration of taking the vow of Brahmacharya or taking the vow of Kshetra-Sanyas for one year during which he taught The Gita to Ashramites in Sabarmati Ashram. Similarly the statement given by him- 'I very much like this doctrine of the multiplicity of viewpoints/ many-ness of reality' as it enabled me to judge a Musalman as well as a Christian from their viewpoints.' This Jain principle of Anekantavada played an important role in developing and implementing Gandhi's concept of religious harmony. Similarly
vi
