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religious and spiritual life. It was Gandhiji who for the first time in the history of world used the weapon of ahimisā and satyagraha for winning political freedom peacefully without bloodshed.
It may not be exaggeration to state that Śrīmad Rajchandra was one of the important persons who very much influenced Gandhi's mind and thinking and effetively preached to him the importance of satya, ahimisă, brahmacarya, anebantavada and love and thus directly contributed to the formation of Gandhiji's unique personality.
It is interesting to note that though most of the Indians are not aware of Śrīmad Rajchandra's role in Gandhiji's life and mission, foreign writers like Mr. Erik H. Erikson has started realizing the impact of Śrīmad Rajchandra on Gandhiji and conducted psychoanalytical research on Gandhiji's life and personality. In his book 'Gandhiji's Truth', on page 162, Gandhiji has been quoted as saying "- whose (Raichandbhai's) demeanor and words went straight home to me". Erikson continues, "No doubt - Gandhiji recognized in twenty-five years old friend (Śrīmad) something of what he felt was his own essence affirmation of his
ethical direction.
(and) the first young Gandhiji
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