Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

Page 36

Shrimad Rajchandra's Message
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leads his life with this principle, he will then remain internally equanimous even in the midst of external agitations. While describing the great significance of satsang, Shrimad has stated, “Through the medium of satsang an aspirant can achieve the success he desires. Satsang is the utmost tool for attaining purity in one's life.”
In the 24th chapter of his book ‘Mokshmala’, Shrimad has gone to the extent of saying that, “The benefit that one can get from a moment's satsang cannot be obtained by tens of millions of years of kusang. In fact, such kusang will only lead to sufferings in the lower realms of existence and vilification of one's soul.” Therefore, a person can live his life in the midst of household activities yet his inclination should always be towards the attainment of liberation from this wretched cycle of birth and death. One's life should always be led whilst upholding the principles of renunciation and detachment. The first Jain canon 'Acharang Sutra' states:
“The person who attains victory over materialistic
desires, is certainly a liberated person.”
One may complain that life is hard to make ends meet, that there is no time for satsang. One may say that the first priority is to provide for the family, only then can one think about higher pursuits like satsang. First one needs to worry about immediate functional needs only then can one think about the divine. How can one be devoted to the divine on an empty stomach? Shrimad recognised and understood man’s ignorant and procrastinating nature and one incident from his life clearly highlights this.
Once, at the residence of Zaverchandbhai Sheth, Shrimad was giving a discourse to inspire detachment. One listener, Pragjibhai Jethabhai remarked, “ Sir! I have a great desire to