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Shrimad Rajchandra & Mahatma Gandhi
practised by Shrimad, Gandhiji had seen the quest for the soul. Fasting purifies the soul, makes one non-violent and helps one attain salvation. The realisation of the soul that resides within us makes us fearless and is the ultimate achievement of this human life.
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A striking incident, reflecting the impact of Jain philosophy in Gandhiji's life, took place in Phoenix, South Africa. A student, from the school where Gandhiji's son Devdas was studying, found a shilling on his way to the station. Their local teacher Dhaivatben and students decided to spend that shilling on buying savouries which all students could share. Since everyone would be party to the conspiracy, they were confident that no report would reach Gandhiji; but he somehow came to know of it. Gandhiji discussed the matter with the teacher and others and then called his son Devdas who was also party to eating the savoury. He slapped him a few times in anger. The fact that his son had cheated on him caused him a great deal of anguish. He fasted on that day and said that he would eat the next day. Ten days later, he fasted again for seven days to atone for the sin.
The people there benefitted from a heart-touching discourse by Gandhiji, every evening, for those seven days. For those seven days, they sang the spiritual poem 'Apurva avasar aevo kyaare aavshe' by Shrimad Rajchandra. Manilal, an ashram resident, played the organ and Isang somberly and Gandhi went on giving the discourse. These discourses embodied the message of Rajchandra. He said, "I am fasting not to punish anyone but to overcome my weaknesses. Our rishis practised severe penance and as a result a tiger and a cow would play together in front of them. Unless we develop such a state of spirituality, salvation will not come our way."
