Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 90

Shrimad: "Yes, there is reincarnation."
Attorney: "Do you believe in illusive concept of God as acceptable to Vedänt?"
Shrimad: "No."
Attorney: "Is reflection in a mirror virtual or is it composed of some elements?"
Shrimad: "It is not merely virtual; it is composed of some elements."
From Khedä Shrimad went to Bombay via Mehmedäbäd. Within a month he got scope for going to Idar for retreat. On the way, Motiläl met him at Nadiäd station. On inquiring about the monks, he informed that all the monks were at Nadiad. Shrimad conveyed them the news that he was going to ldar for retreat.
Chapter 22: ON THE HILL OF IDAR
Dr. Pranjivan Mehta, Shrimad's uncle in law, was the Chief Medical Officer of the then Idar state. Shrimad had stayed with him in 1899. He usually remained home only for taking food, the rest of the time he spent in the hills and woods of Idar. At his instance, Dr. Mehta did not inform anyone about his arrival and as such, the people in general did not know about his being there. The then king of Idar met him once or twice and the report of their conversation as published in the monthly Deshi Räjya' is as under.
King: "There is a proverb, 'Rajeshri Te Narakeshri'. What does that mean?
Shrimad: "To get the position of a king is the consequence of earlier wholesome Karma and of observing austerities. The wholesome Karma is of two types, viz. Punyänubandhi Punya (wholesome Karma leading to further wholesome Karma) and Päpänubandhi Punya (wholesome Karma leading to unwholesome Karma). One, who gets kingship by virtue of the former, holds virtuous attributes, makes good use of his authority, and considers himself as a servant of people. Thereby he earns wholesome Karma. One, who gets it by virtue of the latter, holds wrong attributes, uses the authority for sensuous pleasure, forsakes his duties towards people (imposes different types of oppressive taxes), and acquires unwholesome Karma.
Of these two types, those belonging to the former type make progress and rise up to the level of Chakravarti (sovereign ruler), Indra (heavenly chief), etc. They are termed Rajeshri. On the other hand, those belonging to the latter type are destined to the infernal level. They are termed as Narakeshri.
This is the Kali age and it is hard to be a king of the former type. Mostly there are of the latter type. The proverb prevalent in the present age does not necessarily apply in every case. It applies to those, who exercise autocratic power, who oppress the people, and who spend the money in wrong ways."
King: "What do you think about this region of Idar?'
Shrimad: "The historical places of this area provide the evidence of victorious condition of its ancient inhabitants, of their economic, moral and spiritual progress. See the fortress of Idar, its Jain temples, Queen's enclosure, Ranmal's gate, caves of the great, medicinal herbs, all these are the extraordinary evidences. You might have heard the names of first Tirthankar Lord Adinath and the last Tirthankar Lord Mahävirswämi. It occurs to me that the last Tirthankar, who perfectly set the religious order, his pupil Gautamswämi and others might have moved in this area. Most of