Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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monk" 3 While from V.S. 1952 to 1957 when he passed, he almost overcame conflict. But before reaching the zenith of the spiritual development, that is, perfect vitarăgata and kevalajñāna, the span of his life was unexpectedly cut short and he met a premature death because of extreme weakness".4
Another important feature of his life is his acquaintance with Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was very much influenced by his teachings and was a major influence on him. He was Gandhi's spiritual guru. Through letters Gandhi and śrīmad had lot of correspondence. Gandhi Says, "he was absorbed in his thoughts even when he would be walking. He had a miracle in his eyes, which were very shining. He was never in depressed mood. His voice was so much sweet that one would never be tired of listening to him. His face was always smiling and it displayed inner bliss. "5
There were many other people who followed him during his life. He wrote Ātmasiddhi on the request of Sobhagabhai and completed it in three hours. Saskara, the propounder of Advaita Vedānta and Vivekananda of Ramakrishna Mission also lived a short span life of 33 years with its full meaning. Srimad lived only for 33 12 years.
2.1 Literature His major works are in Gujarati. They include Bhāvanābodha, Moksamālā, Ātmasiddhi, Apūrva Avasara, Mūlamārga, about eight hundred letters, personal diaries and notes, more than one thousand aphorisms and good sayings are published in works like Puspamālā, Bodhavacana and Vacanasaptasati, Gujarati translation of Kundakunda's Pañcāstikāya etc.
Some poems, incomplete articles, translations notes and commentaries etc. are available in Manuscripts. His autobiographical article such as Samutcaya-Vayācārya is also valuable. These works show that he was a prolific writer, poet and a mystic who always wrote on the basis of his personal experience. His unfinished and unpublished works include topics like 'women's education', 'Svadesi, who is really rich?' All these were written before he completed 20 years of his age. But he stopped writing on such topics after the 20th year and concentrated only on spirituality.
3 U.K. Pungaliya, Philosophy and Spirituality Of Rājacandra, p.27 4 Ibid p. 68 5 lbid
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