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Gandhi's Teachers : Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
philosopher, and a true teacher and guide for many. He has left behind a rich spiritual legacy, that shines to this day. His life was exemplary and he served as a role model to many seekers of Truth, including Gandhi. His writings were profound and have provided solace to those who seriously sought self-realization. Anyone who looked up to his exampie, found that it was easier to control worldly yearnings, avoid sense-pleasures, live a life away from bodily needs, and devote concertedly to the spiritual pursuits.?!
Rajchandra passed away in 1901 at the age of thrily-{vo. Gandhi at that time was in South Africa and learned about his death there. The letter of condolence written by him has been included in the footnotes to this chapter..
Notes and References
i. See: Preface, footnote 2, 2. See: Preface, fooinote i. 3. Marriages in those days between Vaishnavas and Jains
were common in Gujarat, India. 4. Kanthi is anything wom around the neck, but in this case
also of religious significance, 5. The ritual is similar to baptism in Christianity and is
performed when the child is still of a young age of under five years or so. Similar rituals exist in Islam, Judaism,
and other faiths. 6. Goverdhandas, Brahmachari, Maliatma Gandhi uni Kari
Rajchandraji: Questions Answereul Alimedabac: Shrimad
Rajciandra Gyau Pracharak Dusi, 1980 . 1, 7. In some religious traditions, the dead body is buried. Bui.
according to Hindu rites, it is cremated 8. Gandhi seems to have been aware that Rajchandra had
achieved self-realization (atmajnana - the knowledge of the soul) at an early age of seven or so. In a leite! 10 Manjula Gandhi dated July 26, 1944, he declares that age is not a factor in the achievement of amananci, us was the case for Rajchandra. See: Government of India, The
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