Jain Thoughts And Prayers English Gujarati

Author(s): Kanti V Mardia
Publisher: Yorkshire Jain Foundation

Page 17

LETTERS BETWEEN MAHATMA GANDHI AND RAYCHANDBHAI*
To highlight the spirit and essence of Jainism, we quote one of a pointed question, posed by Mahatma Gandhi to Raychandbhai together with his answer. Raychandbhai is regarded as one of the greatest Jain personalities of this century; Gandhi mentions that "Three persons have influenced me deeply: Tolstoy, Ruskin and Raychandbhai: Tolstoy through one of his books,...., and Raychandbhai through personal contact."
GANDHI
If a snake is about to bite me, should I allow myself to be bitten or should I kill it, supposing that that is the only way in which I can save myself? (Oct. 20, 1894)
*Translation from Jaini, P.S.(1979)
9
For Private & Personal Use Only www.yjf.org.uk
RAYCHANDBHAI
One hesitates to advise you that you should let the snake bite you. Nevertheless, how can it be right for you, if you have realized that the body is perishable, to kill, for protecting a body which has no real value to you, a creature which clings to its own life with great attachment?
For anyone who desires his spiritual welfare, the best course is to let his body perish in such circumstances. But how should a person who does not desire spiritual welfare behave? My only reply to such a question is, how can I advise such a person that he should pass through hell and similar worlds, that is, that he should kill the snake? If the person lacks the development of a noble character, one may advise him to kill the snake, but we should wish that neither you nor I will even dream of being such a person.
10
For Private & Personal Use Only www.yjf.org.uk