Philosophy and Spirituality of Srimad Rajchandra

Author(s): U K Pungaliya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 45

Introduction
Shri Kakaji Swāmī and Shri Nagindāsa Sheth. She has quoted from the writings of Pt. Sukhalal Sanghavi, Shri Ramanlal Joshi etc.. She has also quoted copiously verses from Jaina Prakrit canonical works like Uttarādhyayana sūtra, Acārājiga sūtra, Sthānārga sūtra, Daśavaikālika sūtrà etc., and shown the impact of these works on this poem. Besides, she has successfully proved that though the poem has a general appeal, it also reflects Śrîmad's sublime and elevated spiritual state, mystic experience and his final aim of attaining salvation by climbing the ladder of Gunasthānas or the stages of spiritual development. The poem chalks out the path of spiritual realization from the fourth stage where a soul acquires Samyagdarśana or Right attitude and the attainment of it is followed by the attainment of Right knowledge. Then by passing through the succeeding stages along with the ladder of annihilation from the eighth stage onwards he attains final emancipation at the last, that is the fourteenth stage. She divides the poem in two parts: the first containing 12 stanzas deals with the author's aspiration for becoming nirgrantha, that is, possessionless monk, the characteristics of a nirgrantha, the nature of Right attitude (samyag-darśana), the conduct of the nirgrantha, etc.. This section covers the description of