Great Warrior Of Ahimsa

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

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literature. Additionally, I had the rare fortune to personally come across Gandhiji and his direct descendents, (also those of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore) from my young age. Thus, I can most humbly state that, to strengthen my above-referred assertions and expressions pertaining to influence, spiritual guidance and Impact of Srimad Rajchandraji on Mahatma Gandhiji and the latter's implementation of the same, I have undergone the required studies of both of these luminaries. (*D, *E)
In this context, apart from other works of these two, I shall particularly like to recommend a small book (originally in Gujarati, later published in English also), containing the correspondence between Srimad Rajchandraji and Sri. M.K. Gandhi i.e. Gandhiji, consisting of 29 important Questions and Answers that passed between the two.
In addition to these reference studies, I had also the distinguished privilege to discuss these and various other aspects of Gandhian philosophy, from time to time, with disciples of Gandhiji like Acharya Vinobaji, Dada Dharmadhikari, Jai Prakash Narain, Kaka Saheb Kalelkar, Kedarnathji, Swami Anand, Ravi Shankar Maharaj, Balkobaji Bhave, Gujarati poet educationist-Umashankar Joshi, Surendraji, Acharya Gurdial Mallikji, etc. and my great scholar-masters Padma Bhooshana Dr. Pandit SUKHLALJI and Y.Y. Sri SAHAJANANDAGHANJI, the Founder of Srimad Rajchandra Ashram, Hampi, Karnataka and others. This provided me a broad vision.
Born in a nationalist and philosophy, literature, music, loving family at Amreli, SaurashtraGujarat, I was fortunate to be in the patriotic national spirit from my childhood. In course of this, when our family had shifted to Poona, I had the unusually rare privilege to have a short Bapu in 1945-46. I was fortunately selected to be posted at Gandhiji's personal room for a fortnight as a Volunteer at Dr. Dinshaw Mehta's Nature Cure at Poona where Gandhiji was camping. Though I was then a school student of 15 years of age, this provided me an opportunity not only to serve Gandhiji, but also to see and study his life and habits and ways of handling his resposibilities of struggle for Independence. Though remote and short-tenured, Gandhiji's influence had naturally gone deep into my consciousness. I still recollect his jolly mood and nature of lightly and humorously cutting jokes with me and with my other volunteer-friends then. I remember, how a great leader of his stature having tremendous national resposibilities on his shoulders, could keep his temper cool, light, balanced and smiling! I remember his punctual early risings, disciplined routines, meetings with people and public prayers over there-all reflecting his conscious Spiritual Life superimposing his practical political public life.
With these short joyous recollections of mine, joined are the series of my still more joyous memories of my years-long acquaintances with Gandhiji's first Satyagrahi Disciple Acharya Vinoba Bhave. After Bapu Gandhiji's passing away, I had the privilege to be at the service of Vinobaji also during his walking Bhoodan-Gramadaan Tours of Orissa, Tamilnadu, Andhra and Gujarat, intermittently in between 1954-55 to 1960 in the first phase during my studies of Graduation and Post-Graduation and thereafter upto 1975 during my Professorship at times.
(*D) Autobiography (MKG), Mahatma Gandhi: The Last Phase (PYARELAL) and several others, particularly "The History of Satyagraha".
(*E) "Srimad Rajchandra" (SR) Vol.I & II. "ADHYATMA RAJCHANDRA" (Dr. Bhagwandas Mehta); & Gandhiji's correspondence with S.R.: 29 Questions & Answers (SR), "Srimad Rajchandra and Gandhiji" (Mukulbhai Kalarthi). "Self Realisation" (J.L.Jaini), SR "A Great Seer" & "SRIMAD ni JIVANSIDDHI" (Dr. Saryu Mehta). Gandhiji's Speeches on Srimad
Rajchandra, "SRIMAD RAJCHANRA A Life" (Digish Mehta) and others. Lately 7.4. Sri Sahajanandyhany's speeches - Editings and biography (SAI SALLAIGNANTIAN QURUGANY witty.