Shrimad Rajchandra (often called Shrimad Rajcandra or Raichandbhai) was a 19th-century Jain Jain saint, poet, and reformer. He is especially remembered for shaping Jain thought with clear, practical guidance on living a Jain life and for inspiring Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual journey.

Key points

• Life: Born in 1867 (in what is now Gujarat, India) and lived as a householder for many years before devoting himself fully to spiritual practice and teaching. He passed away in 1901.
• Teachings: He emphasized right perception (samyaktva), personal effort on the path to liberation, and a teacher’s steady guidance. His approach aims to make Jain philosophy accessible and applicable in everyday life.
• Important works:

- Mokṣamālā (a compact, practical guide to Jain doctrine and practice) - Atma Siddhi (a Gujarati verse work outlining six fundamental truths about the soul, known as satapada) - Stri Niti Bodhaka (on ideals of education and conduct for women) - Other writings include letters, poems, and commentaries that explain karma, right conduct, and self-realization.

• Legacy: His path is sometimes described as a distinct lay-ascetic (Raj Bhakta Marg) or Shrimadia, not strictly limited to Śvetāmbara or Digambara labels. He is widely regarded as a transformative figure who helped bring Jain ethical and spiritual principles into contemporary life. His influence is also noted for shaping later Jain teachers and reformers.

Tradition note

• In Digambar and Śvetāmbara communities, there are differences in emphasis on certain practices and texts. Shrimad Rajchandra’s own approach is often described as a synthesis that highlights direct realization, ethical living, and the guidance of a true teacher, rather than a rigid sectarian path. This aligns with the Jain aim of personal spiritual progress through right perception, right knowledge, and right conduct.

If you’d like, I can share short excerpts from his key works or explain the six satapada (six fundamental truths) of Atma Siddhi in simple terms.