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Rajchandra's Influences on Gandhi
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I felt that God could be realized only through service. And service for me was the service of India, because it came to me without my seeking, because I had an aptitude for it. I had gone to South Africa for travel, for finding an escape from Kathiawad intrigues, and for gaining my own livelihood. But as I have said, I found myself in search of God and striving for self-realization."
Gandhi's service to others took many forms. He volunteered his time in a medical dispensary in South Africa, conducted educational experiments and served as a school teacher, cared for the wounded in Zulu Rebellion, Boar War, and World War II, initiated and guided the Satyagraha struggles in South Africa and India, and established model ashrams in South Africa and India to demonstrate basic values and purposes of living. In all these service activities, Gandhi had no selfish interest.
Conclusion
The influences of Rajchandra on Gandhi's life and endeavors have been many more, but written information about them is not available. Hardly there is any area of Gandhi's life and pursuits which was not directly or indirectly impacted by Rajchandra and such influences have been deep, profound, and encompassing. This chapter has included only substantiated information about the influences and any addons or subjective interpretations have been avoided.85
Notes and References
1. See: Preface, footnote 4. 2. See: Preface, Chapter 1 - Introduction; Chapter 2- The
Life of Rajchandra. 3. See: Chapter 1, footnote 31. 4. See: Preface, footnote 3. 5. See: Preface, Chapter 1 - Introduction; Chapter 4 - Gandhi
and Rajchandra: Questions and Answers; Appendix 2 - Gandhi's Questions and Rjchandra's Replies.
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