વિરલ વિભૂતિ Viral Vibhuti (A Rare Soul)

નિબંધ શ્રીમદ્ રાજચંદ્ર - ગાંધીજીના આધ્યાત્મિક માર્ગદર્શક - નો પરિચય આપે છે.

At the start the writer says some people are so rare and great that they are called a 'viral vibhuti'. Here that soul is Shrimad Rajchandra, who was Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual guide. While introducing his life, the writer brings out his uncommon virtues.

વવાણિયામાં ૧૮૬૭માં જન્મ; નાનપણથી અસાધારણ બુદ્ધિ ને વૈરાગ્ય.

Shrimad Rajchandra was born in the village of Vavania in V.S. 1924 (9-11-1867). His father was Ravjibhai, his mother Devbai. From childhood his intellect and memory were extraordinary, and he leaned naturally toward spiritual thought. The seeds of detachment were visible in him even as a child.

એકસાથે સો વાતો યાદ રાખવાની 'શતાવધાન' શક્તિ એમની વિરલ ઓળખ હતી.

Shrimad Rajchandra had a wondrous power - 'shatavadhan', the ability to hold a hundred things in mind at once. People were astonished at his keen memory and concentration. Yet he used all this power not for fame, but for inner spiritual practice.

વેપારમાં રહ્યા છતાં ધન-કીર્તિથી અનાસક્ત; મન આત્મચિંતનમાં ડૂબેલું.

Though engaged in trade and worldly dealings, Shrimad Rajchandra stayed detached within. He had no attachment to wealth or fame; his mind was forever immersed in reflection on the soul and the supreme reality. Detachment, dispassion and deep self-reflection were the foundation of his personality.

ગાંધીજી શ્રીમદ્ને માર્ગદર્શક માનતા; આવી દુર્લભ વ્યક્તિ વિરલ વિભૂતિ કહેવાય.

Mahatma Gandhi regarded Shrimad Rajchandra as his spiritual guide. Shrimad's devotion to truth, non-violence and inner strength deeply shaped Gandhiji's life. The writer says such a rare, virtue-rich person is born but seldom in centuries - this is the true meaning of a 'rare soul'.