Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 42

Memory of ancient forefathers brings tears in eyes! How brave-hearted were they and how great their vigor? What a miserable state is now! What a terrible ruin? Oh, bursts the heart of Räj, Ha, Ha! How to witness the scene!
Those, who have read the heroic-romantic poems of Walter Scott dealing with the duel combats, would surely recollect the same while reading these lyrics. The sensations depicted in this short poem by Shrimad can be realized only by reading it in entirety. The readers would be convinced thereby that he would have been highly successful in any subject where he might have used his pen.
Shrimad seems to have started writing a critique of 'Swaroday' of Chidanandji in 1887. He has written the preface, which gives a life sketch of the self-realized Chidanandji and relates his spiritual state. That has been available in unfinished condition. From the details given for two stanzas, however, it seems that had the work been finished, it would have been very helpful to the students of time-science in this age.
Two unfinished articles have been published on 'Thinking about the Soul' and 'Divisions of the Sentient and the Insentient'. They deal with the subject pertaining to 'Nav Tattva'.
Once Shrimad had indicated in a conversation that at the time of composing Mokshamälä his detachment was comparable to that of Räm portrayed in 'Yogväsishtha' and that he had gone through all the scriptural texts within a year. The detachment prevailing at that time was so terrific that it was hard to remember whether he had taken food or not.
There have been published under serial number 40 of Shrimad Räjchandra' the initial and the concluding portions of a small book written in 1888. Though it is in unfinished condition, the purpose of writing can be evidently seen from what is given under 'The Last Advice'.
"If one, who had once indicated his disinclination for idol-worship, shows his inclination for the same, his former partisans would have disaffection and wrath towards him. I think you also had that approach towards me sometime back. Had I published this book at that time, your feelings, guess, would have been hurt more and I would have been instrumental for that. As such, refrained from doing it.
"After a while the idea came to my mind, 'Those people would continue to hold adverse opinion about you and what you have concluded with evidences would simply remain in your mind. The same should therefore be published truthfully.' I picked up that idea. That led to a pure reflection in my mind. Let me state that in brief. This book is not written to insist on idol-worship, nor am I going to gain anything by their believing in such worship ... Evidences that occurred to me in favor of idol-worship have been stated here in brief."
The beginning of the book is also worth pondering over with impartiality, as can be seen from the following quotations.
"One, who has the attributes of broad outlook, impartiality, straightforwardness and control over the sense-organs, is utmost worthy to gain the spiritual essence. ...
"He (who desires to know) has not been able to think about the Self under the influence of craving, aversion and delusion, which have been the great enemies since the infinity. Human life, Aryan territory, wholesome family and physical capabilities constitute the instrumental means, while true desire for liberation is the internal means for the purpose.