________________
812
I am the Soul What a strange coincidence on this auspicious day, that we have completed the study of the composition of the great Srimad Rajachandraji, today, which also happens to be his birth anniversary. Srimadji has taken birth on this earth and benefitted the consciousness of the public to a great extent. He himself attained the fact of the soul and opened up the path for others. The greatest benevolence he has done us is the simplification of the principles propounded by the Jineshwar from the viewpoint of language. He has offered the same to us in the form of poetry, letters or maxims, which a common man can easily understand.
Indeed, for those in whom the mumukshuta is awakened, Srimadji's literature is really helpful. A person who evaluates Srimadji's literature in an impartial state without any coercion, will be able to rise above attachment and aversion. The deep study of the Shastras, relinquishing the tradition of ego, can be certainly helpful to a jiva. Like the Atmasiddhi Shastra, he has one more unique poetic composition - अपूर्व अवसर गुणस्थान क्रमारोह -. That too is greatly beneficial to a jiva desirous of spiritual progress. It is highly necessary that all jivas should listen to, think and learn Srimadji's Shastras.
One more thing ... We have read it at many places in the literature of Srimad Rajachandra, but I shall relate my experience. In 1973, I was at Matunga, Mumbai for my Chaturmas. I was then writing my thesis, which also included Srimadji's literature. To know more about Srimadji, I went to his daughter Jawalba at her residence. She was old and unwell, yet she welcomed me with love and enquired about my welfare. When I told her that I needed to know something about the personal life of Srimadji, she was greatly pleased. But Jawalba had been very young during the lifetime of Srimadji.
She admitted this and told me that it was not possible for her to know him from that viewpoint. However, she said, “I remember but one incident from when I was about 8 or 10 years
Jain Educationa International
For Personal and Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
