Who was the guru of Gandhi ji?
VerifiedAnswer: Shrimad Rajchandra
Explanation:
Shrimad Rajchandra was the spiritual mentor and guide of Mahatma Gandhi. Born as Raychandbhai Ravjibhai Mehta in 1867 in Gujarat, he was a remarkable personality who profoundly influenced Gandhi's philosophical and spiritual development during his formative years.
Gandhi first met Shrimad Rajchandra in 1891 when he returned from London after completing his law studies. At that time, Gandhi was searching for spiritual direction and was confused about various religious beliefs. Rajchandra, despite being younger than Gandhi, possessed extraordinary wisdom and spiritual insight that deeply impressed the future Mahatma.
What made Rajchandra special was his unique combination of worldly success and spiritual attainment. He was a successful businessman dealing in diamonds and pearls, yet he remained detached from material possessions. This balance between material life and spiritual practice greatly influenced Gandhi's later philosophy of combining social service with spiritual development.
Shrimad Rajchandra was known for several extraordinary abilities: • Exceptional memory power that could recall previous lives • Deep knowledge of various religious scriptures • Ability to write poetry in multiple languages simultaneously • Profound understanding of Jainism and other philosophical systems
The relationship between Gandhi and Rajchandra was maintained primarily through correspondence, especially during Gandhi's years in South Africa. Whenever Gandhi faced moral or spiritual dilemmas, he would write to his guru for guidance. Rajchandra's letters provided Gandhi with the spiritual strength and clarity he needed during challenging times.
Rajchandra's influence on Gandhi can be seen in several key areas of Gandhian philosophy. The concept of ahimsa (non-violence), which became central to Gandhi's methodology, was deeply reinforced by Rajchandra's teachings. The principle of satya (truth) and the importance of self-purification were other significant contributions that shaped Gandhi's character and approach to life.
Unfortunately, Shrimad Rajchandra's life was brief. He passed away in 1901 at the young age of 33, but his impact on Gandhi was lasting. Gandhi often acknowledged that among the many people who influenced him, Rajchandra held a special place. In his autobiography "The Story of My Experiments with Truth," Gandhi wrote extensively about his guru's influence on his spiritual journey.
Even decades after Rajchandra's death, Gandhi continued to cherish his memory and teachings. The spiritual foundation that Rajchandra provided helped Gandhi develop into the great leader and philosopher who would later guide India's independence movement and inspire the world with his principles of non-violence and truth.
