Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

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Shrimad Rajchandra & Mahatma Gandhi
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Ruskin's “Unto This Last” which he read during that train journey. Having read the book, he was inspired to form the concept of Sarvodaya - compassion unto all.
Gandhi began correspondence with Tolstoy in early 1910 and wrote three letters to him. Tolstoy passed away in November 1910. Gandhi, did not have the good fortune to meet these two great philosophers personally. However, he had the good fortune to meet Shrimad and maintain contact with him for over ten years. Their meeting and continued contact proved to be the turning point in his life and had a lasting impact.
The inspiring force in Gandhi's life was his spirituality and it was Shrimad Rajchandra who formed and strengthened his faith. Gandhi had said that if he were in any spiritual crisis, he would seek Shrimad's advice.
In October 1893, a man named Mr. Baker took Gandhi to Wellington's Christian convention held in Tober, South Africa. He thought that the inspiring spiritual atmosphere at the convention and the deeply religious attitude of the assembled people would create such a powerful impact on Gandhi that he would certainly convert to Christianity. The convention lasted three days but it did not have the desired effect on Gandhi.
On the other hand, Abdulla Sheth, who had brought Gandhi to South Africa, was persuading him to study Islam. He discussed the features of Islam at length. Gandhi commenced reading the English translation of Quran by Sale. He also read Mohammad's biography by Washington Irving and Carlyle's eulogy of