Pinnacle Of Spirituality

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal

Page 52

18. Multi-faceted Personality
he economic condition of Shrimad's family began to decline. His father Ravjibhai took over the business from his Grandfather. In a small town, with declining business, Shrimad's father had to support a very large family: - his parents, as well as two sons and four daughters. After a death in the family, it was then a custom to hold a feast in honour of the deceased. To help pay for the funeral of Shrimad's grandfather, his mother had to sell her jewellery
With his family in such circumstances, Shrimad had to help his father at the shop. Thus, despite being such a bright student, Shrimad left school at the age of thirteen. He readily accepted his role in the shop and saw his responsibility to his parents as his duty. Thirteen year old Shrimad had beautiful handwriting and was often invited to act as a scribe at the court in Kutch. Shrimad could balance both his work in the shop and his inner spiritual development. He was always fair in business, neither overcharging nor underpaying. While he learnt the mysteries of business, he studied religious and spiritual writings, and composed many poems. As he studied and reflected, he deduced that Jain teachings impartially took truth from all sources. He adopted the principle of : "What is true is mine." He was very drawn to the principle of friendship and compassion for all living beings, as reflected in the Pratikraman Sutra. The kanthi, the necklace of beads, which the Vaishnav monk had tied, broke during this time. He did not tie it again.
Shrimad often visited Morvi on business and would stay at his aunt's home. Her neighbours, Popatbhai Daftary and his son Vinaychand, would often ask him to explain scriptures to them and would also purchase books for him from far and wide. Their home became his study and library.
With his love for Truth, his prejudices against Jainism disappeared and his love for it grew. He wanted to show the world the True Path, and thus put an end to ignorance, spiritual folly, and to pain. The ages of thirteen to sixteen were a time of deep religious contemplation and insight for Shrimad. He had great faith in the authors of the scriptures and would quote them extensively in his own works, casting light on their meaning,