Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 99

and can attain the higher state of existence by resorting to that path. The sense of renouncement prevailing within is so strong that many people may be induced to renounce in my company.
"Setting up religion confers a very high status. Such a tendency can prevail even by virtue of that desire. By testing the soul in different ways, however, it appears that there is very little possibility for such a desire in the present state. In case, there be some potentiality, it is surely going to be destroyed. A firm determination prevails within that even if there arises a strong possibility of leaving this body, no preaching be undertaken without being properly equipped. On that account there stays the desire to renounce the possession etc. I feel that my state is capable enough to propagate or set up religion as conceived in Ved; but it is not yet fit to set up the religion of the omniscient Lords. It is, however, felt that I am better equipped (than others)."
Moreover, he states by way of prayer, "Oh Lord, either let the desire for reviving religion subside, or let it be implemented. Implementation seems hard, because there are many differences about the minor aspects and they are deep-rooted. The people are millions of miles away from truth. They remain involved in such an obstinate lifeless rituality that it would be very hard to create among them the eagerness for true path even after endeavoring for a long time."
Shrimad used to get headache even by sunrays falling over his head. When that pain was unbearable, he had to inhale smoke of pepper by putting them in fire.
During 1900 Shrimad went from Idar to Naroda, Ahmedabad, where the monks were camping. Several liberation-seekers from Ahmedabad also had come there. It was planned to go beyond the residential area in the afternoon. Accordingly as the monks were waiting at the border point, Shrimad arrived there along with the liberation-seekers. Mentioning that the monks' feet might be feeling heat, he took off his shoes and started walking slowly under the sun. They came to a banyan tree and everyone sat there. Shrimad's soles had become red with heat, but he did not even stroke them. Then looking at Devkaranji he said, "Now I want to be out of all contacts; I do not like to come in contact with anyone; the soul wants to stay in that state of total restraint."
Devkaranji: "Infinite compassion prevails within the enlightened; where would it go?"
Shrimad: "Ultimately, that also needs to be given up."
During late 1900 when Shrimad came again to Ahmedabad with his mother and wife and stayed in Agakhan building, the monks also had been to Ahmedabad after finishing the monsoon. Shrimad had the voluminous manuscripts of Digambar books Jnänärnav' and 'Swami Kärtikeyanupreksha'. They were presented to Lallujiswami and Devkaranji at the hands of his mother Devbä and the wife Zabakbä. He was aware that other monks had indulged in indolence and had hesitated to hold the books during the travel. In order to remove that fault he said, "Monks, this being has born the burden of wife, children etc. but it has not resorted to servicing of the saintly and religious persons because of indolence."
He said to Laxmichandji, "Hold Jnänärnav during the travel as long as Devkaranji reads it. Similarly Kärtikeyanuprekshä should be held by Mohanlälji as long as it is read by Lalluji." He had also recommended everyone to read, contemplate and exchange the books among one another.
Devkaranji asked, "Why has the body become so frail?"
Shrimad: We have been against it. It looks that way because of the unwholesome intake at Dharampur."
Meanwhile Dr. Pranjivandäs came to see him. Shrimad said to him, "These two monks, Lalluji and Devkaranji, are like those of the fourth era. They are the specimens of that era." Thereupon Dr. Pranjivandäs bowed to them with adoration.