Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

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Shrimad Rajchandra's Message
toward external temptations, the greater the attachment towards the physical world. With this, the greater the desire for material possessions, and greater are the chances of falling prey to unworthy company. Such individuals tend to spend most of their lives in trivialities, delusional pursuits and acrimonious behavior. That is why the 'Prashnavyakaran' scripture clearly states that a person devoted to worldly desires destroys the benefits of human life not only in this lifetime but in future lifetimes too.
It is only when one attains satsang that he can discriminate between that which is true and that which is false. In the absence of satsang he cannot comprehend the truth. Only when a person attains satsang does he realise that his attractions for the materialistic world are futile. As understanding grows with spiritual progress, attachment to worldly affairs will weaken, and eventually one realises that everything in this universe apart from the soul is transient, that everything but the soul is bound to be destroyed with time. That is why Shrimad teaches us that even a single statement obtained from satsang offers an invaluable benefit to the soul.
There are two types of satsang. The first is where one constantly focuses on scriptural books and learns lessons of virtuous living. The second type is when one constantly seeks the company of virtuous people with a view to emulate them. One of the reasons why a seeker engages in satsang is to acquire a noble and virtuous way to life. Very often a person turns to religion in his life, but he does not turn to scriptures. Whilst he practises a particular faith, his knowledge and understanding of the scriptures of that faith is very limited. He may be calling himself a Hindu and yet he might not have studied the Upanishads or Bhagwat Gita. An ardent Jain may be indulging in rituals with devotion, but his world of religion is restricted to those religious practises and rites, remaining devoid
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