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Homage to Santbalji
It is with great joy that I read Shri T. U. Mehta's sketch of Munishri Santbalji's life and mission.
It was in mid-fifties that I had met Santbalji while I was travelling through Saurashtra in connection with Sant Vinobaji's Bhoodan Movement. He had very kindly presided over my public meetings at some places. One can still recollect his radiant personality, his beaming smile and gentle voice! We were in correspondence till the last phase of his life. Always post cards written in loving care! Yes, elegant simplicity was perhaps the essence of his being and teachings
Shri T. U. Mehta has given the details of Munishri's life indicating the process of maturity manifesting through every step that Santbalji took. The narration about his period of Total Silence for one year and the radical statement he released at the end of it will deeply move any Sadhaka!
Santbalji's adherence to Gandhian philosophy and to basic tenets of Jain philosophy had enriched his personality in an unique way. Non-violence must have been the breath of his life. The way he brought about a silent revolution in his total way of living and functioning must have baffled the contemporary Jain Munis and Shravakas. His blending of spirituality with social service, his attitude towards political problems and excessive trust in the Indian National Congress must have been riddle to many of his admirers and critics alike.
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