Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

Page 37

Shrimad Rajchandra's Message
indulge my time in spiritual devotion, but what shall I do about this God given stomach that keeps demanding food?"
In this manner, Pragjibhai tried to express the idea that one first needs to attend to his needs of obtaining a livelihood. The first consideration must be given to household activities, only then can one talk about spiritual progress. If that isn't so, then all spiritual talks are futile.
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Shrimad replied to Pragjibhai in a very cryptic manner saying, "What if I answer directly to your stomach?" He then turned to Zaverchandbhai Sheth and said, "Please give Pragjibhai the same meals as you have every day. He shall reside upstairs in the upashray and shall engage himself in nothing but spiritual devotion all day long. The only condition is that he is not to be allowed to leave the upashray for any reason, whether there is a wedding procession or women dancing and singing. He is not allowed to speak about mundane worldly matters at all. If someone joins him in devotion then that is permissible, but otherwise he is not allowed to listen to or talk to anyone."
Listening to these words from Shrimad, Pragjibhai said, "Oh! That is impossible, that is not the way to live.”
Shrimad, in an insightful manner, had torn apart the delusional veil of deceit that Pragjibhai was wearing, pretending to be a keen spiritual aspirant. He said, "This soul does not really want to engage in spirituality and so it creates excuses like feeding the stomach. Do you know anyone who has died of hunger whilst being engaged in spirituality? The soul only deceives itself by such
excuses.
Shrimad had seen the web of deceit and false logic that had spread in society. He was aware of the ignorance and ego that lay behind these and thus had laid great emphasis on satsang.