Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

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Shrimad Rajchandra's Message
In those days, it was quite common to observe the Vaishnav and Jain faiths being followed by members of the same family. The religions were the reason for uniting people rather than dividing them. The practise of Pratikraman (prayers of repentance for earlier deeds) in particular, cast a deep influence on the tender mind. He found that the Jain religion preached compassion and feelings of oneness for all living creatures, while at the same time preaching devotion and conduct that would cleanse the dirt of worldly existence from the soul.
During his teen and early youth years, Shrimad was already recognised as a bright and intelligent young man. His unique abilities, easy-to-approach attitude and willingness to help gained his admiration of local communities of Vavaniya.
Shrimad had expressed his inner thoughts about his early years in his diary titled “Sammuchayvaycharya’: “For seven years, I spent my time in fun and frolic; I vividly remember that I used to experience strange imaginations in my soul (without even knowing the nature or objective of the same). I had the inner desire to seek victory in games and to attain the stature of an emperor. I used to remain detached from routine matters like personal clothing, cleanliness, eating, drinking and resting etc. I had a soft heart - I distinctly remember that condition. If I had the discriminative prowess then as I do now, I probably might not have needed the intense desire for salvation. I remember those innocent days frequently even today.”
His subsequent association with Sant Shri Rambaima of Vavaniya's Ram Temple was significant in inspiring Shrimad's detachment from worldly pleasures. Shri Rambaima, from the village of Vantavadar, as per local tradition had been married at a very young age. When she came of age, her husband's family came