Shrimad Rajchandra And Mahatma Gandhi

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

Page 95

Shrimad Rajchandra & Mahatma Gandhi
Mohammad. He made a collection of various books on Islam. Gandhi was also studying the Parsi religion of Zoroastrianism by reading 'Zarathustra Quotations'
He entered into correspondence on Christianity with his Christian friends in England, in particular with Edward Maitland, which continued for a long time. At this time, Gandhi was aware of what, in his opinion, were the shortcomings of the Hindu philosophy.
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In order to resolve his mental conflicts, he sought clarification and guidance from Shrimad outlining the doubts that he could not resolve. He asked several questions What is meant by soul? What is meant by God? Is God the Creator of the universe? What is moksha? Is it possible to attain moksha? What is Aryadharma (the conduct of the worthy)? What is the relevance of Bhagwad Gita? He also raised questions about Christianity, the Bible, the Old Testament, the incarnations of Krishna and Ram, and of the Holy Trinity in the Hindu pantheon of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
Shrimad responded with a series of letters. In his second letter, he explained the characteristics of the soul and encouraged Gandhi to contemplate on those. In his third letter, he talked about the conduct of the worthy. Gandhi's letters showed the mental turmoil he was experiencing about the different faiths he had studied. Shrimad's answers were based on both his insight and his own experience, along with logic supporting each answer.
Gandhi also wrote to other religious scholars in India but it was from Shrimad's letters he gained comfort and peace. Shrimad counselled him to be patient and asked him to study Hinduism more deeply. He gave him a copy of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, which, later, Gandhiji described as his spiritual panacea. He also gave him