ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 110

B.1.1.3.1
Jain Thinkers: Srimad Rajacandra, Käñji Svāmi, Pt. Todarmal Dr. Kamini Gogri
2. Känjisvāmi (1889-1980 A.D.), and
3. Santa Bāla (1904-1982 A.D.).
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Against this background we have to understand the works of the three main reformers1. Srimad Rajacandra (1867-1901 A.D.),
1.0 Introduction
The Indian situation in the 19th century was different from the situation at the time of the two reformers discussed earlier i.e. Lonkāśaha and Bhikku. India was now under the British rule. Christian missionaries have started their preaching. The British introduced formal education system, science and technology and started criticizing classical Indian religious traditions on the ground that there was no acceptance of GOD, GRACE, FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE.
OF
1 Digish Mehta, Srimad Rajacandra. A Life, p. 15.
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None of them preached the traditional ascetic oriented religion. They unified spirituality and the day-to-day activities of life. Śrīmad introduced BHAKTI MARGA (or the path of devotion) in Jaina religion, which is discussed by him in his poems and correspondence with various individuals who had spiritual quest. Känjisvāmi, emphasized JÑĀNA MĀRGA (or the path of acquiring knowledge), that is, one should know that one is Suddhatma (pure soul). Śrīmad never took initiation but was a householder. Kāñjisvāmī was a Sthānakavāsī Muni but after reading Samayasaral the Digambara text, became a Digambara lay-follower.
2.0 Śrīmad Rājacandra (1867 A.D-1901 A.D.)
Raichand was born in 1867 A.D. to Ravjibhai and Devabai of Vavania in Morbi. His grandfather was a devout Kṛṣṇa worshipper and his mother came from a Jaina family. This blend of two religions in his life played an important role. He had four sisters and one bother. His paternal grandfather was a major influence on him. In autobiography 'Samutchaya Vayacarya, which he wrote at the age of twenty-two he says that he was "deeply dyed in the more colorful mode of worship of Kṛṣṇa cult"1. He listened eagerly to the verses consecrating the image of lord Kṛṣṇa as also to the lore of various adventures and miracles attributed to him in the different incarnations. This had a profound effect on young Raicand. He even mentions his having been formally initiated while he was yet a boy of less than ten, by a
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