Shrimad Rajchandra - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Life

Raychandbhai Ravajibhai Mehta, popularly known as Shrimad Rajchandra by his followers, was a prominent Jain

Jainism

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

philosopher

Jain philosophy

Jain philosophy deals extensively with the problems of metaphysics, reality, cosmology, ontology, epistemology and divinity. Jainism is essentially a transtheistic religion of ancient India. It is a continuation of the ancient tradition which co-existed with the Vedic tradition since ancient...

. He is highly respected for His remarkable exposition of Bhagwan Mahavira’s teachings, great spiritual state, extraordinary personality and literary genius. He was born on November 9, 1867 in Vavania Bandar, India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

, and left His body on April 9, 1901 in Rajkot, India

India

. He is especially notable for being "a guide and helper" to Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...

. Shrimad was also one of Gandhi's best friends, and they exchanged a series of letters about religion and philosophy until the end of Shrimad's life.

At the age of seven, on witnessing the burning pyre of an recently deceased acquaintance, He underwent unprecedented mental churning and reportedly attained 'Jatismaran jnan' (a recollection of several past lives) at the cremation ground itself. This vivid recollection of the past reportedly 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 reportedly manifested in him, but he chose to ignore them, focusing solely on self-realization.

Although young in age, Shrimad 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 married and began to engage in the family business. Having spent nearly a decade of his life as a householder, ably discharging the responsibilities that had come his way, inwardly he remained completely detached. Worldly pleasures reportedly failed to attract him in the least and he spent long hours in profound contemplation and deep meditation. He was also a prolific writer and is famous for his work, Atma Siddhi

Atma Siddhi

Atma siddhi is a spiritual poem composed in Gujarati by the nineteenth century Jain mystic poet Shrimad Rajchandra . Atma according to Jainism means "soul" or the "self" and "siddhi" means "attainment". Hence, Atma Siddhi is translated as self attainment or self realization...

, a Gujarati poem on attainment of soul.

Ceaselessly immersed in spiritual pursuits, at the age of 23, he reportedly attained Shuddha Samyakdarshan (right self-perception). After the age of 28, His 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, he reportedly was at the threshold of complete renunciation when he contracted an illness from which he never recovered. In spite 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 him failed. On 9 April 1901 (Chaitra Vad Pancham V.S. 1957) at Rajkot, according to his followers, Shrimad left His body in a state of complete awareness.

In this short span of 33 years, He not only attained liberation Himself, but was also instrumental in the liberation of many others. His preachings have been compiled in an invaluable text titled, Shrimad Rajchandra, which even today, continues to quench the thirst of true seekers.

Ashrams

Param Pujya Param Upkaari Prabhushreeji established the Sanatan Jain Dharm ShrimadRajchandra Ashram, Agas on the auspicious day of Kartak Sud Poonam in the year 1920 (English Calendar) http://www.shrimad.com
Shree Raj Saubhag Ashram - a direct, present and living tradition, drawing from an ancient and vast heritage bestowed from Shrimad Rajchandra. Formed in 1976 in Sayla (Near Ahmedabad and Rajkot in Gujarat) under the guidance and inspiration of Param Pujya Ladakchand Manekchand Vora. http://www.rajsaubhag.org
On the auspicious day of Mahavir Jayant in the year 2001, Shrimad Rajchandra's ardent devotee, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri
Rakesh Jhaveri
Rakesh Jhaveri is a devotee of Shrimad Rajchandra and the founder of the . He is also known as Gurudev, Bapa, Saheb or Pujyashri to his disciples. He was born in Mumbai on 26 September 1966 to Mrs. Rekhaben and Mr. Dilipbhai Jhaveri.Shri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri Academically, having passed M.A...

, established Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Dharampur on the blessed land of Dharampur, Gujrat, India.
Situated in a serene, peaceful and natural environment near the Sabarmati river, Pujya Shri Atmanand (formerly Dr. Mukund Soneji) established Shrimad Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhana Kendra - Koba in 1982 on the blessed land of Koba, Gandhinagar.
Another of Shrimad's ardent devotees, Pujyashri Pravin bhai Mehta, established Shrimad Rajchandra Gyan Ashram, Parli at Parli, Maharashtra in 2001.

Life

Ashrams

External links

Further reading