Raychandbhai Ravajibhai Mehta (born November 9, 1867 in
Vavania Bandar, India – April 9, 1901 in Rajkot, India),
was a prominent JainMahatma Gandhi [1]. Rajchandra was also
one of Gandhi's best friends, and they exchanged a series of
letters about religion and philosophy with each other. At
the age of seven, on witnessing the burning pyre of an
acquaintance, he 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. philosopher. He is especially
notable for being "a guide and helper" to
Though young
in age, he 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 he remained
completely detached. Worldly pleasures 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, a gujarati
poem on attainment of soul.
Ceaselessly immersed in
spiritual pursuits, at the age of 23, he 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 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 his body
failed. On 9 April, 1901 (Chaitra Vad Pancham V.S. 1957), at
Rajkot, he died in a state of complete awareness.
Shrimad
Rajchandra's ardent devotee, Pujyashri Rakeshbhai
JhaveriShrimad Rajchandra Ashram' on the auspicious day of
Mahavir Jayanti in the year 2001 on the blessed land of
Dharampur. Shrimad Rajchandra Dharampur Ashram, Pujya Shri
Atmanandji (formerly Dr. Mukund Soneji) established 'Shrimad
Rajchandra Adhyatmik Sadhana Kendra - Koba' In 1982 on the
blessed land of Koba, Gandhinagar, situated in serene,
peaceful and natural environment near Sabarmati river, away
from polluted city life. The Shrimad Rajchandra Koba Ashram
established '