Gandhis Teachers Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta

Author(s): Satish Sharma
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyapith Ahmedabad

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Gandhi's Teachers: Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
scriptures, respect for different religions, ability to analyze and assess spiritual issues, deep concern and compassion for others, sincerity and loyalty to all, and remarkable ability to balance the household, business, and spiritual lives. Gandhi admired Rajchandra's riveted devotion to his spiritual pursuits and burning desire to achieve moksha. Gandhi used to visit Rajchandra frequently at his home and place of business and discussed with him his spiritual questions and other problems. Through these discourses, Gandhi developed an interest in Rajchandra which later changed into the relationship of a teacher and a disciple. Gandhi knew that Rajchandra lead the life of a karmayogi3 and he wanted to follow in his footsteps and learn from him as much as possible about the spiritual pursuits. Whenever Gandhi had a doubt, question, or inquiry, he consulted Rajchandra and was always satisfied with his answers. Of particular note is the advice Gandhi received from Rajchandra when his Christian and Muslim friends in South Africa tried to convert him respectively to Christianity and Islam and Rajchandra worte in his reply: "On a dispassionate view of the question, I am convinced that no other religion has the subtle and profound thought of Hinduism, its vision of the soul, or its charity." This last remark cleared Gandhi's all doubts and he stayed in the religion in which he was naturally born.
Rajchandra's Influences
Rajchandra's influences on Gandhi's life, thought, spiritual pursuits, and reform endeavors are many, but are little known. This chapter attempts to present some of these influences in a succinct way.
Vow of Brahmcharya
One important influence of Rajchandra on Gandhi was in terms of the latter's vow of brahmcharya," even in relation to his own wife at the young age of thirty-seven. Gandhi shares that in South Africa he was a happily married man devoted to