Our country recently celebrated Gandhi Jayanti, the life of Mahatma Gandhi shines forth like a beacon for truth, nonviolence and selfless service.
Yet behind that beacon lies a subtler, luminous flame, the presence of Shrimad Rajchandraji, the mystic-poet and spiritual mentor, whose influence shaped the inner architecture of Gandhi’s values. To remember Shrimadji is to peel back the layers of history, and see how a pure soul guided a national revolution from within.
The Early Encounter: Poet and Seeker
When Mohandas Gandhi returned to India in 1891 from England, grief-stricken by the loss of his wife, he encountered a young poet and scholar named Raichandbhai (later known as Shrimad Rajchandraji). Gandhi’s sister’s in-laws introduced them, and Gandhi later recalled:
“The thing that cast its spell over me … was his wide knowledge of the scriptures, his spotless character, and his burning passion for self-realisation.”
Shrimad Rajchandraji was not just an intellectual, but he lived with fierce devotion. Though he was a layperson, he pursued inner awakening with intensity. He composed Atma Siddhi, 142 verses that succinctly lay out the path of self-realisation, in a single night, while residing in Nadiad, demonstrating his deep spiritual insight.
The Mentor in Correspondence
When Gandhi went to South Africa and then faced religious questions, he turned inward and reached out to those who could help him reconcile faith and action. He sent Shrimad Rajchandraji 27 earnest questions about religion, doubt and duty and Shrimad Rajchandraji’s responses helped Gandhi resolve his dilemmas and re-root himself in a spiritual framework.
In his Autobiography, Gandhi dedicated several chapters to “Raychandbhai” (Shrimad Rajchandraji), and often invoked his counsel in the domains of truth (satyā) and nonviolence (ahimsa). The silent strength of Rajchandra’s character, his purity, and his focus on inner integrity deeply impressed Gandhi and anchored many of his life choices.
The Legacy in Gandhi’s Practice
How did Shrimad Rajchandraji’s spiritual compass manifest in Gandhi’s public life? Many of Gandhi’s defining principles can trace their roots back to Rajchandra’s influence:
- Nonviolence and compassion: Shrimad Rajchandraji lived with love for all beings and with deep equanimity even toward those who opposed him. Gandhi imbibed this spirit.
- Simplicity and self-control: Shrimad Rajchandraji’s detachment from worldly desires, even while being a businessman, provided a living model of inner freedom.
- Celibacy (brahmacharya) and self-mastery: Gandhi’s decision to adopt celibacy in life drew upon reflections inspired by Shrimad Rajchandraji’s temperament and teachings.
- Truth (satya) as lived experience: Shrimad Rajchandraji always emphasised that truth is not a mere slogan, but a way of being, a principle Gandhi lived even in his struggles.
Thus, Shrimad Rajchandraji was not just a distant figure in Gandhi’s life, as he was the spiritual soil in which Gandhi’s values took root.
Silence, Influence, Eternal Light
Though Shrimad Rajchandraji left his earthly form at the young age of 33, His light continues to guide many seekers. Gandhi himself honoured Shrimad Rajchandraji’s memory by preserving his letters and reflecting on his counsel till his final days. Even today, the bond between the two is portrayed in the celebrated play Yugpurush, presented in multiple languages under the aegis of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD).
Shrimad Rajchandraji’s teachings are timeless, not bound by sectarism, but aimed at awakening the inner Self, at discerning our true purpose, and at walking in harmony with the cosmic order. For those who seek a poised inner life, his voice still whispers in the corridors of silence.
Continuing the Legacy: Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji & SRMD
To keep alive this guiding flame, Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD), carries forward the mission with devotion, clarity, and modern vitality. He is hailed as an enlightened master and spiritual visionary, deeply rooted in the traditions taught by Shrimad Rajchandraji.
Through his triple-pillar approach of Satsang (spiritual discourse), Sadhana (inner practice) and Seva (selfless service), Gurudevshri works tirelessly to translate ancient wisdom into living experience for seekers of all ages. Under his guidance, the mission has grown to over 206 centers globally, and millions have been touched by its social initiatives through the “Shrimad Rajchandra Love & Care” movement.
SRMD continues to echo the central ethos that Shrimad Rajchandraji imparted to Gandhi: that a transformation of the heart is the foundation of societal renewal.
As we remember the external achievements of the Mahatma, let us also bow to the inner guide who shaped him, and let us lean into the living legacy nurtured by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji and the community of seekers.
