Jinamanjari 2001 04 No 23

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 37

became known as śrīmad Rājacandra, and later still, his devotees gave him the honorific title of Param Kịpāļu Dev. He is conventionally referred to by devotees and biographers as śrīmad. śrīmad died when he was only thirty-three, yet a century after his death he is a revered saint, the object of devotion for followers who together form a distinct group within the broader tradition of modern Jainism.
Most of śrīmad's devotees are Indians originating from Gujarāt. Many still live in Gujarăt or Mumbaī, where there are a number of dedicated āśrams, temples, and living gurus operating within the śrīmad Rājacandra tradition. However, followers are likely to be found wherever there are pockets of Gujarātī speaking Jains, including communities in Europe, USA, and East Africa.
Much of the data for my continuing research on śrīmad's followers comes from field research carried out in India during October to February 1999/2000. Part of my time was divided between two communities. One is based at a dedicated āśram called śrīmad Rājacandra Adhyātmik Sādhanā Kendra at Kobā in Gujarāt. This āśram was established in 1975 by its guru Atmānand Mahārāj (Dr Mukund Sone, born 1931). Originally th e āśram was established in Ahmedabad, but relocated to its current site at Kobā in 1982. According to literature produced by the āśram, Atmānand attained self-realisation in 1969.
The second community, śrīmad Rājacandra Adhyātmik Satsang Sādhanā Kendra, is based in Mumbai. Its members are disciples of the guru Dr Rakeś Jhaverī, who during an interview said his first experience of samyak darśana had occurred when he was eight years old. This community has converted the top floor of a Mumbai apartment block into a prayer hall, with an anti-room serving as a library and administrative centre.
When I visited, plans to build a dedicated āśram were well underway. Members of both communities are organised around their chosen guru who is their spiritual guide and religious instructor, but, as this paper will explain, not all of śrīmad's followers are also disciples of a living guru. During my field study I received immense generosity and co-operation from
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