"He Understood The Science Of Life..."

Shrimadji looked upon His Guide, Lord Mahavir and all other Great Saints not merely as learned individuals but as "Tatva" (a philosophy) to achieve 'Vairagya' (Detachment) and a medium for 'Unconditional Surrender' which eventually draws one to oneself and closer to God! 


While on one hand, Shrimadji says that He is the student of entire world and each Soul is His Guru, on the other hand He also says that I am not different from the All-Knower (Emancipated Soul) and see no difference in Him and Me! 


Thus Shrimadji signifies the thin line of difference between Ego and Self-Confidence (Realisation)!. 


His said 'Vachan' encourage and inspire to progress in the spiritual path, else how does one justify the perseverance if the Goal is not achievable!

Shrimad Rajchandraji's teachings explain 'Dev' (Lord), 'Guru' (Master) and 'Dharma' (Religion) as "Tatva" (a philosophy) and do not drive or point towards any particular individual, community or religion! 


He understood the Science of Life - 'Karma theory' in totality and experienced it every moment, freeing himself from bondages, getting lighter and lighter and rising spiritually every moment!

Amongst His wide literature, His best is captured in the 900 letters that He wrote to friends, relatives and aspirants who approached Him for spiritual progress.


A rare phenomenon that simple communication of day-to-day-life, written in a very 'sahaj' natural and simple manner contains the Ultimate Secrets in total Depth! "Knowledge is Experience"; is best understood in His 'Vachanamrut' and 'Conduct'!


The Attainment of Happiness, Bliss and Peace should be such that it becomes the cause of contentment for others and this is truly seen and experienced from the life history of Shrimad Rajchandraji, who today, even after 105 years of His departure is present and always available to all the true and genuine aspirants on the path of 'Aatma Gyan' (Self-Realisation)!


Shrimad Rajchandraji's life-history preaches that "Knowledge is equivalent to Love" - Love for mankind and all living beings backed by a feeling of neutrality and unbiased outlook, leading to permanent Victory over Death! 

"Under The Guidance Of a Living Self-Realised Soul..."

"Apurva Avsar" written by SHRIMADJI at the age of 30 years is another amazing and ultimate piece of literature in the form of 21 beautiful 4-line stanzas, pointing towards the stage of 'Sarvagnya' (All-Knower) and ''Sarvavyapi' (Omnipresent) prevalent during the last 48 minutes before Liberation!

A stage which cannot be understood by oneself but achievable through 'Pratyaksha Guru' (Living Self-Realised Soul)!

Each stanza provides a different and step-by-step dimension as to how the 'Happiness of "Aatman" (Self)' is beyond the scope of any Matter, Time, Feelings, Place, Body, Senses, Words, etc. and the 'Aatman' (Self) is nothing else but Experience!

 "Apurva Avsar" subtly generates a desire to Think what Emancipation and Liberation is all about!

Thanks to HIS eminent disciple, Pujya Shree Prabhushree, all of Shrimad Rajchandraji's compositions and writings, chiefly His Letters (Replies) to all those who sought guidance, solutions and advice from Him is all captured in the Scripture titled "Vachnamrut". 

Like Tirthankaras (Emancipated Souls) Shrimadji's words have the power of truth. A collection of over 900 letters, written to different individuals during the age of 11 to 33, leave no question unanswered provided read and grasped at right time under the guidance of a Living Self-Realised Soul. 

Amazingly every letter is equivalent to a scripture! 

Each letter and every word of every single letter directs one to nothing else but Self-realization through karma-cancellation. 

Therefore even if we rightly abide by any one Letter throughout our lifetime, it is sufficient to lead to salvation...

"I Have Not Found Any ‘Atmagyani Purush’ Like Shrimad Rajchandra"

"I have not found any ‘Atmagyani Purush’ like Shrimad Rajchandra. 


I have considered him to have been ‘Best Indian’ of his time.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Shrimad Rajchandraji was a great tatvagyani and saint. 


He had deeply studied each main shashtra of India. 


He respected all religions equally and absorbed the thoughts of them. 


Gandhiji had a long association with Shrimadji, starting from his arrival in India as a barrister from England until the last day of Shrimadji.

The association with Shrimadji both in person and by correspondence has been very useful and beneficial to Gandhiji in the religious and spiritual matters, particularly during the time of his stay in South Africa, when he was in great religious ferment and turpitude. 


The special thing about Gandhiji’s life is Aatmakhoj. 


When Gandhiji returned from Briton as barrister, he was proud of being a barrister in his mind, but when he met Shrimadji all his pride was futile.

When for the first time, Gandhiji met Shrimadji, he had the impression that Shrimadji was a great gyani and a good character person. 


Meeting of Shrimadji and Gandhiji is said to be the greatest spiritual event of 20th century.

Gandhiji’s religion curiosity was so strong at that time (in Africa) that had he not got spiritual guidance of Shrimadji, then Gandhiji would have become Michael or Mohammad, after returning to India from Africa, but he would not had been Mohandas!

Gandhiji was a well educated barrister. Shrimadji had studied up to only seventh standard and He had no knowledge of English, but Shrimadji had great memory. 


His mind was able to function in hundred directions at a time. 


He was therefore known as Shatavadhani. 


He had good control over words, both in speech and writing. 


He had always at his command the right word at the right place. 


Every word and every action of His had the mark of His greatness, poise, dignity, character, discipline, and earnest striving for liberation and perfection of soul.


Shrimadji was an Atma-Gnani, a knower of self, and HIS state of existence was without attachment for a position, wealth, fame and even the body, though in embodied condition.

Gandhiji was amazed by Shrimadji’s wide shastragyan, pure character and wish of self-realization. 


From Durban in South Africa, Gandhiji sent a long religious questionnaire (as many as twenty-seven questions) to Shrimadji to obtain spiritual guidance from Him, which He readily obliged with prompt and detailed reply. 


This letter by Shrimadji is very useful to all of us- mumukshus and novices – even today. Shrimadji had answered Gandhiji’s questions regarding soul, moksha and other crucial matters. 


Gandhiji had asked questions like 


*what is God? 


*Is He creator of the universe? 


*What is soul? 


*What is moksha? 


*What is Aaryadharma? 


*Who composed the Veda?

Gandhiji by these questions had put his doubts before Shrimadji. 


Shrimadji had advised Gandhiji first to go through Gita and study the Hindu religion thoroughly. 


Shrimadji had advised Gandhiji to read ‘Mokshmala’ and ‘Bodhamrut’. 


Gandhiji had noted that whatever doubts were there about Hindu religion in his mind were resolved with the help of Shrimadji who had written almost 200 letters to Gandhiji.

As per Gandhiji, we can learn four things from Shrimadji’s life:

*Involvement in eternal and real thing.

*Simplicity of life.

*Equal behavior with the whole world.

*Equality of all religions.

*Satya.&

*Life with Ahimsa.  

  

"Go On Obeying His Commands..."

Letter No. 76


Mumbai, Aswin Vadi 10, Samvat Year 1945

"Seek not anything else finding only a Sat-Purusha(Divine Personage) and surrendering all bhavas(Inner Thinking) before His lotus life feet go on obeying his commands. 


After doing this if you do not obtain liberation, come take it from me.

Sat-Purusha is He who has pure conviction of soul each moment of night and day, whose utterance is such as though not found in the scriptures or heard of before yet which can be experienced, and whose conduct with no inner desire is comprehensible. 


The rest about Him is beyond words for expression.

Without doing this there is no escape for you at any time. 


Consider these words of experience as honest and upright.

If one span of human life be devoted to a Sat-Purusha, in praising all His wishes and in believing them as all truth, you will positively be liberated within a maximum of 15 rebirths."

Raichand's Pranam

"This Enlightened soul Left His Mortal Body, In a State Of Complete Awareness..."..

 .

Shrimadji was born to Smt. Devba and Shri Ravjibhai on the auspicious day of 9th November, 1867 (Kartik Purnima V.S. 1924), at Vavania (Gujarat, India).

At the young age of 7, on witnessing the burning pyre of an acquaintance, Shrimadji underwent unprecedented mental churning and attained Jatismaran jnan (a recollection of several past lives) at the cremation ground itself. 


This vivid recollection of the past, established continuity with His previously attained state of knowledge, meditation and penance. 


As a result of this purification of His consciousness, many unusual mnemonic and psychic powers manifested in Him, but He chose to ignore them, focusing solely on self-realization.

Though young in age, Shrimadji was spiritually mature, and remained in a state of heightened awareness. 


Despite a powerful intrinsic attitude of detachment and a burning desire for total renunciation, at the age of 20, He had to tie the knot of marriage and engage in business.

Having spent nearly a decade of His life as a householder, ably discharging the responsibilities that had come His way, inwardly Shrimadji remained completely detached. 


Worldly pleasures failed to attract Him in the least and He spent long hours in profound contemplation and deep meditation.

Ceaselessly immersed in spiritual pursuits, at the age of 23, Shrimadji attained Shuddha  Samyakdarshan (right self-perception).

After the age of 28, Shrimadji's responsibilities decreased and He began to spend 4 to 6 months of the year in seclusion at various places in Gujarat, where HE lived the life of an ascetic, taking very little food only once a day.

At the age of 32, Shrimadji was at the threshold of complete renunciation when He contracted an illness from which He never recovered. 


Inspite of extreme physical discomfort, He always remained in a blissful state. 


Despite comprehensive treatment by doctors and meticulous care by devotees and relatives, all efforts to save His holy body failed. 


On 9th April, 1901 (Chaitra Vad Pancham V.S. 1957), at Rajkot, this enlightened soul left His mortal body, in a state of complete awareness.

"Bodily Happiness Is Only a Shadow Of The Real Happiness..."

 In a letter to His friend in His twentieth year Shrimadji writes: 


"Having no intrinsic love of money and yet to use it for the benefit of the distressed and the needy, I tried to earn some money for the future. 


On other side, wealth, even if acquired for benevolent works, may breed in the person possessing it, blindness, deafness and dumbness. 


Hence, I do not care for wealth at all."

Shrimadji married Zabakben, daughter of Popatlalbhai, the elder brother of Jagjivandas Mehta on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Maha in Vikram Samvat 1944. 


He was twenty at that time.

One year after His marriage, He writes to a friend, under the caption `My thoughts on woman', that unqualified and unrestricted happiness lies in pure knowledge of the Self and never in the worldly enjoyments of married life. 


Bodily happiness is only a shadow of the real happiness. 


Besides enjoyments of the body are only short-lived and the sources of consequent misery, disease and death. 


It is painfully surprising to find the human mind enjoying in worldly and physical pleasures. 


One should pray for the complete freedom from all desires concerning the bodily and sense-pleasures.'

Regarding one's wife, Shrimadji writes: "My desire is for liberation but forced by the fruits of my previous actions, I lead a married life, But here too I normally maintain equanimity, neither attachment nor non-attachment. 

I feel pained to find sometimes my behavior contrary to my intense desire for liberation."

To a friend, Shrimadji writes in Vikram Samvat 1946 or 1890 A. D.: 


"I have married earlier than you by a little over two years. 


Within these two years I have come to know my wife's mind and I can say that none of us is dissatisfied with the other. 


Nor can I say that it is absolutely satisfactory. 

Our relations are common and normal. 

And this is more due to my indifference. 


While thinking of high metaphysical thoughts I get strong suggestions for renouncing the householder's order. 

I had similar thoughts even before my marriage but I had to pacify them as I found that following them would make the very continuance of my life impossible."

In Mokshamala, in lesson No. 12 `Best Householder', lesson No. 45 `Common Aspiration', lesson No. 55 `Rules of daily observance by the Householder' and in six lessons Nos. 61 to 66 under the title `Thoughts on Happiness' He gives His views on the ideal householder's life.

Shrimadji writes: 


"Though I am happy as householder as compared with others, but the worldly happiness is to be suffered and not to be enjoyed. 

It is not true happiness. 

Normally people in the world are unhappy and so the people who are happy in worldly life are called fortunate and favored souls. 

I have decided to utilize my life in the practice of religion. 

I normally read and think of the revealed scriptures, keep contacts with the enlightened souls, observe prohibitions and injunctions, observe celibacy for twelve days in a month, give in charity without declaring my name.

I have renounced much of my burden of worldly life. 

I want to be a forest recluse after entrusting the care of my family to my sons no sooner they come of age. 

At present I have deliberately chosen to remain as a householder in order that I can guide the householders in the path of religious practice better than the Sanyasis or Yatis can do. 

The householder's order requires much improvement and I want to expedite it. 

A householder can easily advise another householder and guide his behavior by his example and practice."

Shrimadji declares that as a principle complete renunciation from the householder's order is necessary for lasting happiness. 

"I Can Drink Milk But I Can Not Draw Blood."

Magnanimous Heart

An Incident From The Life Of Shrimad Rajchandraji

This is a true story from the life of Shrimad Rajchandraji who had a large business of diamonds and jewels.

Shrimad Rajchandraji, commonly called Raichandbhai, was well-known all over for His honesty.

He never indulged in any unethical practices.

Not only that but Shrimad Rajchandraji was also concerned about protecting the interests of His fellow businessmen.

He never intended to profit at the expense of others.

Shrimad Rajchandraji once made a deal with a fellow businessman.

The businessman promised to supply a quantity of jewels.

The price of the jewels was agreed upon and the date of delivery was also set.

The agreement was drawn up, signed and sealed.

Fortuitously, just before the date of delivery, the prices of jewels went up.

The businessman realized that if he delivered the jewels on time, he would suffer a heavy loss.

He might be forced to sell his house and belongings.

The businessman was in deep distress.

Nevertheless, he was willing to fulfill his promise.

When Shrimad Rajchandraji came to know about the rise in prices, He went to see the businessman.

The businessman was startled and terrified.

Before, Shrimad Rajchandraji could utter a word, he said, "Raichandbhai, rest assured, I will fulfill my promise at all cost. Please do not worry."

Shrimad Rajchandraji replied, "I know that you will definitely fulfill your promise.

However, I also know that you are extremely worried.

How can I remain unconcerned under such circumstances?

Look, the root cause of our worries is the contract signed by us.

I will destroy it and our troubles will be over."

The businessman said, "No, no. That is not necessary.

Please allow me two days time. Just two days!"

Shrimad Rajchandraji did not pay attention to him.

He did not hesitate even for a moment in doing what was right under the circumstances.

He took out the contract. Tearing it into pieces, He said, "This piece of paper had bound our hands and feet.

In this deal, I would have made considerable profit but you would have been ruined.

I can drink milk but I can not draw blood."

The businessman was amazed.

He fell on Shrimad Rajchandraji's feet.

Raichandbhai hugged him and said, "The supreme duty of human beings is to help each other in times of trouble."

"All This Was Possible By The Infinite Powers Of The Soul..."

 The knowledge of past lives proves the height of spirituality Shrimadji had already reached in His previous lives. 

From His early childhood modesty, perfection in speech and conversation, exceptional reasoning power and a sharp spirit of non-attachment or disinterestedness and such other qualities made Him a pet student of His school as well as of His village. 


He possessed a sharp and unfailing memory, unusually powerful retentiveness and faculty of recollection. 


He grasped all that He read or heard only once.

He entered the school at His age of seven and a half years. 


In about a month after His joining the school He completely mastered the preliminaries in calculation and within two years He finished the study of seven standards.

The monitor of His class, who had initiated Him in the study of the first standard book, had to take His help in completing the book. 

On account of His exceptional performance in study He became the favorite of His teachers and normally He conducted the classes while His teachers used to witness with admiration the work of this gifted Soul. 

All His colleagues loved him.

Once His teacher scolded Him and the next day He did not go to the school. Thereupon all other boys of the class followed Him to a field where they ate berries. 

His teacher was surprised at the absence of all his students, inquired about it and went to the field where Shrimadji was sitting with His friends. 

Upon knowing the reason of absence of the students in his class, the teacher assured Shrimadji that he would never scold Him again and brought them back to the class.

He started composing poems at the age of eight and He supposed to have written five thousand stanzas in the first year. 

In His ninth year He composed Ramayana and Mahabharata in verse and at ten He was mature in His thinking and reasoning. 

At this age He had unique curiosity to know new things, a passion to hear new facts, to think new thoughts and to perform fine orations.

While He was eleven He started contributing articles to the newspapers and He won many prizes for writing competitive essays. 

One of His essays was on the need for women-education. At the age of twelve He composed three hundred stanzas on `a watch'. At thirteen He went to Rajkot to study English but about His English education very little is known.

Before His age of fifteen He studied and mastered many subjects. He became famous as a young poet of astounding memory and with brilliant prospects.

Once Shrimadji, at the age of ten, accompanied Shri Dharshibhai, a judge of Morbi state, from Morbi to Rajkot. 

During the journey Dharshibhai was much impressed by the unusual talents of Raichand, a boy of ten, and by way of admiration Dharshibhai suggested that Raichand should stay with him in Rajkot. 

But Shrimadji preferred staying at His maternal uncles' house but He promised to meet Dharshibhai often during His stay in Rajkot.

His maternal uncles came to know from Him about the arrival of Dharshibhai in Rajkot; and while Shrimadji was taking lunch there they were loudly planning to kill Dharshibhai. 

Shrimadji heard this and lost no time to warn Dharshibhai about the criminal intentions of his maternal uncles. 

This is how this boy of ten, returned the obligation to Dharshibhai.

Shrimadji by his mystic powers of clairvoyance and telepathy, mind reading, etc. learnt that two persons from Kutch were on their way to Rajkot to meet Him. So He requested Dharshibhai to allow these two guests to stay with Him and Dharshibhai readily agreed to do so. 

Thereupon Shrimadji went to receive the two guests and welcomed them by their names. 

When the guests asked Him as to how He knew their names and about their coming to meet Him, He replied that all this was possible by the infinite powers of the soul.

These two guests, named Hemrajbhai and Malsibhai, having heard of the exceptional talents of Raichandbhai, had come to persuade the latter to go to Kashi for higher education but when they came to know of the wonderful spiritual powers possessed by Raichandbhai, they dropped their idea. 

Dharshibhai was much impressed by this incident and gradually he began to respect Shrimadji.

For His return journey to Vavania He had no money, so He sold the sweets He was given by his maternal uncles and with the proceeds thereof He returned to Vavania. 

This shows His firm determination not to beg of anyone for His personal benefit. 

"One Of The Most Reliable And Honest..."

  

 Shrimad Rajchandraji was also an accomplished businessman in jewellery and pearls. Of all the jewellery merchants 


He was known as one of the most reliable and honest.

Once a younger brother of a pearls merchant sold his pearls to Shrimadji at a certain price. 


When his elder brother came to know this he scolded the younger brother for selling the pearls at a much lower price then expected. 


Thereon the younger brother returned to Shrimadji and narrated to Him what his brother thought about the transaction. 


Shrimadji immediately returned the pearls and canceled the deal as it was a mistake by the younger brother. 


This shows His honesty and sympathy.

Shri Maneklal Ghelabhai, while appreciating Shrimadji's business acumen, writes that even foreign customers used to praise the excellent business organization and exactness of Shrimadji.

Shrimadji wrote in His diary certain rules of discipline which He decided to observe after He joined a partnership business in Bombay in Vikram Samvat 1946 or 1890 A. D. These rules are in brief as under:

1. Do not see anybody's fault. Believe that whatever difficulties come your way, are due to your own shortcomings.

2. Never indulge in self-praise as in self-praise one only lowers himself. 


3. Behave in such a way as it may win affection of others. It may not be so easy to start with but gradually by strong self-determination and resolute effort, you will be able to mold your behavior.

4. Declare your line of thought and action to one with whom you wish to join in business or in any worldly matter.

5. Also win his confidence by your word and deed and assure him that you shall never think or do anything to harm his interests. Should any of your thought or deed prove harmful to your partner or colleague, repent for it and tell him that it will never recur.

6. Tell him that you shall do the work entrusted to you with care and diligence but without pride or egotism.

7. Tell your partner that on no account you are prepared to sacrifice your discipline for Self-realization, that he should not use you as a means to secure his unethical motives, that when assured of a possible conflict on the above conditions, you will clear out of the joint partnership with no harm to your partner.

8. In case your partner doubts your bonafides, request him to declare them freely and explain to him that there is no ground for such doubt. Should he not accept your explanation, respectfully terminate partnership.