Central to Śrīmad Rājcandra's teachings is the emphasis on self-knowledge. He believed that understanding one's essential nature, or svarūpa, is crucial, as ignorance of this leads to endless suffering. The realization of one's spiritual essence is a pathway to achieve spiritual liberation, or mokṣa. Śrīmad's approach critiques blind rituals (kriya-jaḍa) and mere philosophical speculation (śuṣka-jñāna), which he argues can disconnect individuals from authentic spiritual wisdom. Instead, he advocated for practices that go beyond ritualistic and speculative activities, promoting self-knowledge (ātma-jñāna) and the purifying effects of spiritual discipline.
In practical terms, Śrīmad Rājcandra’s instructions for sādhana, or spiritual practice, are pragmatic. He introduced a sort of pragmatic maxim, suggesting that the truth of a spiritual claim is validated by its tangible outcomes. His teachings extend into daily life, highlighting the importance of structured daily routines for spiritual progress. Morning prayers and evening reflections are vital aspects of this routine, functioning as vessels for spiritual mindfulness and self-realization.
Śrīmad Rājcandra's approach to worldly activities does not demand total disengagement. Instead, he emphasized maintaining a mental state that aligns with spiritual well-being while performing daily duties. For Śrīmad, dhyāna, or focused meditation, is an integral part of his teachings, serving as a bridge to the soul's pure state. Specifically, dharma-dhyāna nurtures an understanding of divine teachings and scriptural knowledge. He also detailed contemplative modes (bhāvanā) as a meditative framework promoting detachment and the realization of the soul’s true nature. Śrīmad’s meditative practices, such as sāmāyika, advocate for maintaining a disciplined mental state, detached from worldly distractions and focused on self-realization. This practice demands vigilance to prevent mental, verbal, and physical lapses that may hinder spiritual development. Moreover, his narratives also underline the ideal spiritual practice, accentuating the importance of steadfastness and resilience in the face of distractions.
Śrīmad Rājcandra’s teachings emphasize the realization of one’s spiritual core through disciplined routines and meditative reflection. He offered a pragmatic approach to spiritual liberation, encouraging self-connection and detachment from worldly distractions. His teachings continue to inspire Jain communities, seamlessly blending practicality with spiritual insight.
Śrīmad Rājcandra (1867–1901) was a prominent Jain mystic, philosopher, and poet whose impactful teachings continue to influence Jain philosophy and spirituality, particularly in Gujarat, India, and among the Gujarati diaspora. His spiritual approach emphasized the imminent potential for spiritual liberation through self-realization, detachment, and contemplation, offering a perspective that may seem more immediate than what many Jains might believe. This paper explores Śrīmad Rājcandra's teachings on contemplative practices, drawing from his works such as Mokṣamāḷā and the Ātmasiddhi, which provide detailed guidance on the contemplative practices important for liberation within the Jain tradition while connecting modern and pre-modern ideas about Jain contemplative practice.