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Jain Poet of Great Distinction SHRIMAD RAJCHANDRA
BY VINOD KAPASHI
Shrimad Rajchandra was born on 9th November 1867 in a small village (called Vavania) in the state of Gujarat. His father's name was Ravjibhai and mother's name was Devabai. He was named Raichand when he was four years old. His grandfather was a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. His mother grew up in Jain religious traditions. Shrimad writes in one of his books: "In this apparently short span of life, I have experienced much about the soul, the nature of mind, the speech, the physical body, the wealth... many worldly ups and downs and the causes of interminable misery and unhappiness. I had no attachment to wearing clean clothes, selection of good food, good bed, etc.... For four years, from seven to eleven, devoted myself to study. At that time I remembered all what I once saw or read. My recollection was faultless, as my mind was sinless."
"I have suffered eternal pain because I have never understood the true nature of my self (my form and my soul). I bow to my true master who has preached and explained to me the real self."
Shrimad posessed the knowledge of his previous births. It is called Jati Smarana Jnana. Shrimad says in his own words: "Once when I was seven years old, an elderly neighbour called Amichand suddenly died of a snake bite. I did not know what was death. I asked my grandfather but he did not give a proper reply." Rajchandra then went to the cremation ground, climbed a tree and saw the whole process of burning the deceased body. He started thinking about the nature of death and there and then recollected his previous lives - Jati Smarana Jnana.
In the first 44 verses the subject is introduced - the truth that without self-knowledge, the worldly pains cannot be completely removed. The blind attachments to the rituals and the dry path of scriptural knowledge are analysed. Shrimad stresses the need to resort to the advice of an enlightened self-realised Guru and says that scriptures should be studied and followed under the guidance of such a Guru.
At the tender age of 16, Shrimad composed a book called Mokshmala containing 108 short lessons. This book is also read by thousands of people in regular satsangs. It was first published in 1887 when Shrimad Rajchandra was 20 years old. He has written scores of poems and his letters to various people (including Mahatma Gandhi) are very famous and a source of inspiration for many people.
Shrimad could understand and memorise books in a very short time. His power of remembrance developed further and he managed to do the hundred avdhan (paying attention to hundred different things simultaneously).
He explains the attributes of an atmarthi (one who is a true believer of atma- soul) in the following verse:
Shrimad wrote out his famous 'Atma-siddhi' in the form of a poetic dialogue in 142 verses, at the suggestion and request of Shri Sobhagyabhai. One of Shrimad's admirers, Shri Ambalal stood with a Lantern in his hand while the composition was written. In this composition Shrimad has explained the gist of Jainism and of all true religion namely the six fundamental truths:
Kashayni upshantata, matra moksha abhilash Bhave khed, prani daya, tyan aatmartha nivas (38)
They are - The soul exists, that it is eternal, that it is the author of its activities, that therefore it is responsible for the results of its activities, that it aspires for liberation and that this is achieved by following a right kind of religion.
"He is the true knower of self whose passions are subdued, who only wishes for the true liberation, who has developed aversion to all the worldly matters and who is full of compassion."
Shrimad starts the poem with a beautiful verse:
Je swarup samjya vina, pamyo dukha ananta samjavyu te pada namu shri sadguru bhagvant. (1)
Later on, Shrimad puts forward the six fundamental truths as mentioned above and dispels the doubts of the aspirant. Regarding the nature of the soul it is said that
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Jain Spirit. July - September 1999
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