Gandhis Teachers Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta

SR No.: 006754
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satish Sharma
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyapith Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 260
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Rajchandra
File Size: 11 MB

Page 254

Gandhi's Teachers: Rajchandra Ravjibhai Mehta
of existence with one sense only, had none the less to be in such a state. This and many similar doubts arise. A pralaya involving all is impossible.
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Q. 24 Can an illiterate person attain moksha through bhakti14 alone?
A. Bhakti is a cause of knowledge and knowledge of moksha. If by an illiterate person we mean one without knowledge of letters, it is not impossible that he may cultivate bhakti. Every soul had knowledge as its essence. The power of bhakti purifies knowledge, and pure knowledge becomes the cause of moksha. I do not believe that, without the manifestation of perfect knowledge, absolute moksha is possible. Nor need I point out that knowledge of letters is contained in perfect spiritual knowledge. It cannot be true that knowledge of letters is a cause of moksha and that, without it, self-realization is not possible.
Q. 25 Rama and Krishna are described as incarnations of God. What does that mean? Were they God Himself or only a part of Him? Can we attain salvation through faith in them?
A. (1) I, too, am convinced that both were great souls of great holiness. Each of them, being an atman, was God. If it is a fact that all the coverings over their atman had fallen off, there need be no dispute about their having attained absolute moksha. I do not think that any soul can be a portion of God, for I can think of a thousand reasons against such a belief. If we believe a soul to be a portion of God, the belief in bondage and moksha will have no meaning. For then, God Himself will be the cause of ignorance, etc., and, if that is true, He ceases to be God. In other words, in being regarded as Lord of the soul, God actually loses something from His status. Moreover, if we believe that the soul is a portion of God, what motive will a person have to strive for anything. In view of this and other objections, I am not prepared to believe any soul to be a portion of God; how, then, can I believe that such was the case with great and holy souls like Rama and Krishna? There