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Shrimad Rajachandra

9 November 1867 – 9 April 1901 (aged 33)

Shortly after his return from England, Mahatma Gandhi met a young man of 25 in Mumbai who was to have a profound influence on his life and philosophy.

To quote Gandhi: “Since that day onwards till the death of Raichandbhai, ours was a very close contact. Many times I have said and written many times that I have learnt much from the lives of many a person, but it is from the life of poet Raichandbhai, I have learnt the most” and “I must say that no one else has ever made on me the impression that Raichandbhai did”.

Raichandbhai, to be known as Shrimad Rajchandra, composed the ‘Atma Sidhi Shastra’, a composition of 142 stanzas explaining the Jain path to liberation (Moksha), one night in Nadiad in just 90 minutes. This highly spiritual composition is also considered Classic Gujarati Literary work.

Summary of Atma Sidhi Shashtra

The Soul Exists

The soul appears the same as the body due to the illusory identification with the body; but both are distinct like a sword and its sheath. It is of the nature of pure consciousness.

The Soul is Eternal

Knowledge of the birth and death of the body cannot arise unless the entity experiencing the knowledge is different from the object. Nothing can create or destroy the soul; thus, it is eternal.

The Soul is the Doer of Karma

If the soul remains conscious of its true self, it acts in tune with its nature; if it does not remain conscious of its true self, it becomes the doer of karma. The body, or lifeless matter, has no capability to acquire karma. The soul is the acquirer of karmic bondage.

The Soul is the Bearer of Consequences

Poison and nectar have no understanding to affect anyone, but one who consumes them gets affected; similarly, the soul bears the consequences of its meritorious or unmeritorious karma. God does not give the fruits of its actions.

The Soul can be Liberated

There is freedom from the bondage of karma. With the ultimate dissociation of the soul from the connection with the body, it eternally stays in the liberated state and experiences its own infinite bliss.

There is a Path to the Soul’s Liberation

The means through which one can realise the pure ever-lasting conscious soul, constitutes the path of liberation. Delusion prevailing from infinity is annihilated with the advent of enlightenment.

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