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Introduction
things about Rajchandra which later really impressed Gandhi were his wide knowledge of different scriptures, his spotless character, his burning passion to achieve moksha, and his ambition to see God face-to-face. Rajchandra had later given up all public display of the mental powers and focused on spiritual pursuits. More than his memory feats, people around him respected Rajchandra for simple living, piety, high character, wisdom, renunciation, wide scriptural knowledge, and a burning desire for self-realization. Gandhi learned that unique memory feats and even knowledge of the shastras26 were possible, if one worked on them. But such people were rare who also had a genuine culture of the heart, like Rajchandra did. Gandhi was also impressed by Rajchandra's independence in judgment and his freedom from all kinds of blind orthodoxy. In the worldly pursuits, Rajchandra was a connoisseur of pearls and diamonds and no knotty problem was too difficult for him, but Rajchandra's real passion was the goal of moksha and seeing God face-to-face.27 Gandhi at the time of first encounter was twenty-two and Rajchandra was twenty-three years old.28
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Rajchandra could combine with ease his business dealings and religious practices and he actually lived according to what he believed in. Himself a Jain, Rajchandra's knowledge and toleration of other religions was really remarkable. He had limited schooling, but knew Sanskrit, Magadhi, and perhaps Pali and he had acquired knowledge of Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism through Gujarati sources. Among the articles on his table at the business place were several religious books and a diary. The moment he finished his business transactions with customers, he would open one of the religious books or started writing in his diary. The writings sometimes produced poetry, at other times prose, and still at other times inspiring spiritual songs.29 Rajchandra also responded to the inquiries of his admirers and wrote letters to them to resolve their spiritual dilemmas. Gandhi writes that the man who immediately upon finishing his talk about weighty business dealings, could begin reading or writing
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