Shrimad Rajchandra
| Shrimad Rajchandra | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Religion | Jainism |
| Sect | Svetambara |
| Other names | Kavi, Raichandbhai |
| Personal | |
| Born | Laxminandan Ravjibhai Mehta 9 November 1867 Vavania near Morbi (now in Gujarat, India) |
| Died | 9 April 1901 (aged 33) Rajkot (now in Gujarat) |
| Spouse | Zabakben (m. 1887) |
| Parents | Ravjibhai and Devbai |
| Works | Atma Siddhi, Mokshamala |
| Website | www |
Shrimad Rajchandra was a Jain poet, philosopher, scholar and reformer. Born near Morbi, he was prodigy and claimed to have recollection of his past lives at the age of seven. He performed Avdhan, a memory retention and recollection test which gained him popularity but he later discouraged it in favour of his spiritual pursuits. He wrote large number of philosophical poetry including Atma Siddhi. He also wrote large number of letters and commentaries and translated some religious texts. He is best known for his teachings on Jainism and as a spiritual guide of Mahatma Gandhi.
Shrimad Rajchandra was born on 9 November 1867 (Kartik Sud Purnima, Vikram Samvat 1924), in Vavania, a port near Morbi (now in Gujarat, India). His mother, Devbai, was Svetambara Jain and his father, Ravjibhai Mehta, was Vaishnava Hindu. He was initiated in Vaishnavism by a Sadhu named Ramadasji.
His birth name was Laxminandan. He was renamed Raichand by his parents when he was four years old. Later his name changed to Sanskrit form, Rajchandra. Shrimad, an honorific was added by his disciples after his death.
He claimed the possession of the knowledge of his previous lives, Jati Smarana Gnan, in reply letter to a question from Padamshibhai, his friend in Bombay written in 1890. He described the incident to him,
"When I was seven years old, an elderly man named Amichand, well-built, stout and sturdy, a neighbor in my village, suddenly died of a snake bite. I did not know what was death. I asked my grandfather as to what was the meaning of death. He tried to evade the reply and advised me to finish my meals. I insisted on a reply. At last he said: "To die means the separation of the soul from the body. A dead body has no movement, it contaminates and decays. Such a dead body will be burnt to ashes near a river-bank as it has ceased to function." Then I went secretly to the cremation ground and climbing a Babul tree I saw the whole process of creamation of the dead man's body and I felt that those who burnt him were cruel. A train of thoughts started on the nature of the death and as a result I could recollect my previous lives."
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