No Complaints
On 1959-60 the tour, I was given the seva of cooking for the sadhus. Everyone in the group preferred mild food, not too chilly. Yogiji Maharaj only ate mild, what we'd call bland food. Spicy or hot food never suited him in the least. Sant Swami and Balmukund Swami ate mild food too. That left only Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He can eat spicier cooking, and actually preferred to - but for nine months he ate whatever I made. And what's more, I was still a novice at cooking. There was always the possibility of me making mistakes. But not once did he tell me, 'It was like this or that,' or ever say, 'It should be like this...' Nor did he ever give even the faintest hint as to what to make or what things he particularly liked. Whatever was served in his pattar, he quietly ate - with head down, remembering the Lord. That's when I first realised that this sadhu seems to be beyond the instinct of taste.
In all those months of travelling together, I can't recall a single occasion where he happened to make jest or even talk without a reason. I gradually realised how deep and contemplative he was.
Sadhu Ishwarcharandas
On 1959-60 the tour, I was given the seva of cooking for the sadhus. Everyone in the group preferred mild food, not too chilly. Yogiji Maharaj only ate mild, what we'd call bland food. Spicy or hot food never suited him in the least. Sant Swami and Balmukund Swami ate mild food too. That left only Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He can eat spicier cooking, and actually preferred to - but for nine months he ate whatever I made. And what's more, I was still a novice at cooking. There was always the possibility of me making mistakes. But not once did he tell me, 'It was like this or that,' or ever say, 'It should be like this...' Nor did he ever give even the faintest hint as to what to make or what things he particularly liked. Whatever was served in his pattar, he quietly ate - with head down, remembering the Lord. That's when I first realised that this sadhu seems to be beyond the instinct of taste.
In all those months of travelling together, I can't recall a single occasion where he happened to make jest or even talk without a reason. I gradually realised how deep and contemplative he was.
Sadhu Ishwarcharandas
Shriji Maharaj's Spiritual Status
“In addition, only the contemplation of God remains within My heart, and although I outwardly meet and mingle with devotees of God, it is solely for the benefit of their jivas. Indeed, the day when I feel that I have developed affection for something other than the devotees of God, I will consider Myself as having been dislodged from My spiritual status. However, I am confident that that would never happen…”
[Gadhadã II-33]
“In addition, only the contemplation of God remains within My heart, and although I outwardly meet and mingle with devotees of God, it is solely for the benefit of their jivas. Indeed, the day when I feel that I have developed affection for something other than the devotees of God, I will consider Myself as having been dislodged from My spiritual status. However, I am confident that that would never happen…”
[Gadhadã II-33]
Honoring His Guru
Cultural Festival of India, America, 1991. It was 20th July, 'Gurubhakti Day'. Swamishri made his entry into the spacious Raritan Center Expo Hall in Edison, New Jersey. The dancing balaks and yuvaks, the music, the bands, and the love of all the devotees present welcomed Swamishri. He made his way from the entrance up to the stage in a palanquin. Everyone was lost in the ecstasy of the divine atmosphere.
As Swamishri stepped down from the palanquin to take his place on stage, he asked me, 'Have you brought Yogiji Maharaj's murti? Bring it right away.'
Arrangements were swiftly made and a smallish black and white photo of Yogiji Maharaj was brought. We wondered why Swamishri had called for it.
All was revealed when Swamishri sat on the scales. He held both Harikrishna Maharaj's murti and the photo of Yogiji Maharaj while being weighed with the sugar crystals. Throughout, his head knelt down in humility, in devotion to God and Guru.
Sadhu Ishwarcharandas
Cultural Festival of India, America, 1991. It was 20th July, 'Gurubhakti Day'. Swamishri made his entry into the spacious Raritan Center Expo Hall in Edison, New Jersey. The dancing balaks and yuvaks, the music, the bands, and the love of all the devotees present welcomed Swamishri. He made his way from the entrance up to the stage in a palanquin. Everyone was lost in the ecstasy of the divine atmosphere.
As Swamishri stepped down from the palanquin to take his place on stage, he asked me, 'Have you brought Yogiji Maharaj's murti? Bring it right away.'
Arrangements were swiftly made and a smallish black and white photo of Yogiji Maharaj was brought. We wondered why Swamishri had called for it.
All was revealed when Swamishri sat on the scales. He held both Harikrishna Maharaj's murti and the photo of Yogiji Maharaj while being weighed with the sugar crystals. Throughout, his head knelt down in humility, in devotion to God and Guru.
Sadhu Ishwarcharandas
Hectic Early Days
The Amdavad mandir was inaugurated by Yogiji Maharaj in 1962. The festival was celebrated with great fanfare.
It was the evening of the day the festival had ended. Everyone had dispersed. Swamishri was personally loading a truck with mattresses and utensils which had been borrowed from the Gondal mandir. He had go to 'Khengarjibhai's School' - where the devotees had been put up - to collect the mattresses there. He asked me go to pack my things. In the truck, Swamishri sat in the front. He instructed the driver, 'Take it to Gondal.'
The last few days, Swamishri had been immersed in seva, and had neglected both food and rest as a result. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. So no sooner had the truck touched the highway did Swamishri fell asleep. The driver moaned, 'Maharaj, if you want to doze go to the back!'
The truck came to a halt and Swamishri climbed into the back where I was and where the mattresses were. Hurriedly, I arranged a few mattresses - and Swamishri fell fast asleep. It must've been 10-12 days since Swamishri had last had proper rest.
In the early morning, we passed the Surendranagar signboard. By now, the driver was feeling sleepy too. He decided to pull over and catch a nap. Swamishri opened his eyes and asked, 'Why've we stopped?'
'The driver's gone to sleep,' I replied.
'Fine,' Swamishri said, before returning to sleep.
We began our journey again at eight. By the time we arrived in Gondal at 11 o'clock, Swamishri had talked at length about the festival, its management, and the spirit of seva. In Gondal, he completed his morning rituals, went for Thakorji's darshan, and came down for lunch.
Sometimes whole nights, in various vehicles, in countless villages, in whatever circumstances, and among all sorts of people - Swamishri bared everything with a smile on his face. I have been a witness to this. This incident gives you a mere taste of his life then.
Sadhu Dharmajivandas
The Amdavad mandir was inaugurated by Yogiji Maharaj in 1962. The festival was celebrated with great fanfare.
It was the evening of the day the festival had ended. Everyone had dispersed. Swamishri was personally loading a truck with mattresses and utensils which had been borrowed from the Gondal mandir. He had go to 'Khengarjibhai's School' - where the devotees had been put up - to collect the mattresses there. He asked me go to pack my things. In the truck, Swamishri sat in the front. He instructed the driver, 'Take it to Gondal.'
The last few days, Swamishri had been immersed in seva, and had neglected both food and rest as a result. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. So no sooner had the truck touched the highway did Swamishri fell asleep. The driver moaned, 'Maharaj, if you want to doze go to the back!'
The truck came to a halt and Swamishri climbed into the back where I was and where the mattresses were. Hurriedly, I arranged a few mattresses - and Swamishri fell fast asleep. It must've been 10-12 days since Swamishri had last had proper rest.
In the early morning, we passed the Surendranagar signboard. By now, the driver was feeling sleepy too. He decided to pull over and catch a nap. Swamishri opened his eyes and asked, 'Why've we stopped?'
'The driver's gone to sleep,' I replied.
'Fine,' Swamishri said, before returning to sleep.
We began our journey again at eight. By the time we arrived in Gondal at 11 o'clock, Swamishri had talked at length about the festival, its management, and the spirit of seva. In Gondal, he completed his morning rituals, went for Thakorji's darshan, and came down for lunch.
Sometimes whole nights, in various vehicles, in countless villages, in whatever circumstances, and among all sorts of people - Swamishri bared everything with a smile on his face. I have been a witness to this. This incident gives you a mere taste of his life then.
Sadhu Dharmajivandas
A Devotee Free of Expectations
“If a devotee of God were placed on a shuli due to some karma of his, and if at that time I were standing next to him, the devotee would still not think, ‘It would be good if God would free me from the pain of this shuli.’ In this manner, he is not concerned about his own physical comforts. Instead, he bears the hardships that befall him. As a result, God becomes extremely pleased with such a devotee who is free of all expectations.”
[Gadhadã III-28]
“If a devotee of God were placed on a shuli due to some karma of his, and if at that time I were standing next to him, the devotee would still not think, ‘It would be good if God would free me from the pain of this shuli.’ In this manner, he is not concerned about his own physical comforts. Instead, he bears the hardships that befall him. As a result, God becomes extremely pleased with such a devotee who is free of all expectations.”
[Gadhadã III-28]
Untiring Efforts
In 1967, Yogiji Maharaj's 'Amrut Mahotsav' was to be celebrated in Gondal. Swamishri had run around for over three months making all the preparations for the festival. It was summer-time. And there was no sign of water anywhere. Swamishri had experts look for water in the stony outskirts of Gondal. But found no luck whatsoever. Every third day Yogiji Maharaj would write a letter of blessings (that water be found). He sent people too. When writing to Swamishri, he'd enthusiastically say, 'A flood of water will gush out! There's stacks of water! Drill a well on this site.'
After seven such letters and seven wells had been dug, there was still no water. Swamishri's faith and patience, however, did not budge. Neither did he opt to change the location of the festival. He just knew that it was Yogiji Maharaj's wish for the celebrations to be held in Gondal - so everything would work out in the end.
Swamishri was right. His faith did pay off. Water was soon found in a bore-well and from the dam, and accommodation for the devotees was arranged at various locations around the town.
17 May 1967 was celebrated as Yogiji Maharaj's birthday with great festivities. One hundred thousand devotees were fed that day. Thakorji was taken out on a grand procession upon an elephant. Yogiji Maharaj gave beautiful blessings that day too. He didn't forget to mention Pramukh Swami's untiring efforts in making the festival possible, adding, 'Who would work so hard besides our Pramukh Swami?'
Sadhu Devcharandas
In 1967, Yogiji Maharaj's 'Amrut Mahotsav' was to be celebrated in Gondal. Swamishri had run around for over three months making all the preparations for the festival. It was summer-time. And there was no sign of water anywhere. Swamishri had experts look for water in the stony outskirts of Gondal. But found no luck whatsoever. Every third day Yogiji Maharaj would write a letter of blessings (that water be found). He sent people too. When writing to Swamishri, he'd enthusiastically say, 'A flood of water will gush out! There's stacks of water! Drill a well on this site.'
After seven such letters and seven wells had been dug, there was still no water. Swamishri's faith and patience, however, did not budge. Neither did he opt to change the location of the festival. He just knew that it was Yogiji Maharaj's wish for the celebrations to be held in Gondal - so everything would work out in the end.
Swamishri was right. His faith did pay off. Water was soon found in a bore-well and from the dam, and accommodation for the devotees was arranged at various locations around the town.
17 May 1967 was celebrated as Yogiji Maharaj's birthday with great festivities. One hundred thousand devotees were fed that day. Thakorji was taken out on a grand procession upon an elephant. Yogiji Maharaj gave beautiful blessings that day too. He didn't forget to mention Pramukh Swami's untiring efforts in making the festival possible, adding, 'Who would work so hard besides our Pramukh Swami?'
Sadhu Devcharandas
Swamishri's Humility
On account of my academic career, I had to move to Mumbai, and there I found myself among many satsangi youths. We all became good friends. Our best days were when Swamishri came to stay in Mumbai. Whenever he lavished us with affectionate pats, it reminded me of Yogiji Maharaj.
After Swamishri's unexpectedly early return to India from his first tour abroad as Guru in 1974, he stayed in Mumbai for a few days.
One of those days was Shivratri. While the afternoon thal was being offered, Swamishri sat on the bare floor of the small 'Akshar Bhuvan' sabha mandap, busy writing letters. After the thal finished, I came to Swamishri. He held my hand and escorted me to Yogi Bapa's room. He sat down facing me on the floor of the far-side balcony. We chatted away. He asked my name, about my studies, my parents - everything. During this casual and informal conversation, I just happened to mention the fact that in Africa I had been blessed by Yogiji Maharaj's pats.
Hearing this, Swamishri suddenly touched my feet with his hand, and then touched his own head with the same hand - as a mark of respect and reverence. I was stunned.
'Oh!' Swamishri said overwhelmingly, 'you've had Yogi Bapa's pats!'
Since that day, my attraction towards Swamishri grew stronger and stronger.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
On account of my academic career, I had to move to Mumbai, and there I found myself among many satsangi youths. We all became good friends. Our best days were when Swamishri came to stay in Mumbai. Whenever he lavished us with affectionate pats, it reminded me of Yogiji Maharaj.
After Swamishri's unexpectedly early return to India from his first tour abroad as Guru in 1974, he stayed in Mumbai for a few days.
One of those days was Shivratri. While the afternoon thal was being offered, Swamishri sat on the bare floor of the small 'Akshar Bhuvan' sabha mandap, busy writing letters. After the thal finished, I came to Swamishri. He held my hand and escorted me to Yogi Bapa's room. He sat down facing me on the floor of the far-side balcony. We chatted away. He asked my name, about my studies, my parents - everything. During this casual and informal conversation, I just happened to mention the fact that in Africa I had been blessed by Yogiji Maharaj's pats.
Hearing this, Swamishri suddenly touched my feet with his hand, and then touched his own head with the same hand - as a mark of respect and reverence. I was stunned.
'Oh!' Swamishri said overwhelmingly, 'you've had Yogi Bapa's pats!'
Since that day, my attraction towards Swamishri grew stronger and stronger.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
Visibly Invisible Tilak-Chandlo
In 1975, I'd joined the Nirlon company in Mumbai. I had started to do puja, but was still a little shy in doing the tilak-chandlo everyday to work. Once, when I had to work the nightshift, I decided to take the plunge and try going to work with my tilak-chandlo on. I figured that as none of my seniors would be there at night, I'd be saved from too much embarrassment.
As I arrived for work that first night, my engineer colleagues naturally asked about my tilak-chandlo, and I satisfied their curiosity with some confidence. But then things took a turn.
It was around 1:30 at night when one of the machines developed a fault. It was a vital machine and if it wasn't repaired instantly, the company stood to lose Rs. 125,000 every hour.
The first thing we did was call our immediate boss. He then called his superior, and one by one, in no time at all, the company's entire senior work team had gathered - the Senior Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer and the General Manager. The very people I was hoping to avoid, somehow, from somewhere, had all come together at the same time. They even noticed the tilak-chandlo on my forehead, but so engrossed were they in repairing the faulty machine, that no one questioned me or so much as raised an eyebrow.
The machine was back in motion an hour later, but with that, my embarrassment had also taken flight. And my tilak-chandlo became a permanent part of me.
I truly felt that Swamishri himself must have set up the whole incident to help me overcome my shyness.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
In 1975, I'd joined the Nirlon company in Mumbai. I had started to do puja, but was still a little shy in doing the tilak-chandlo everyday to work. Once, when I had to work the nightshift, I decided to take the plunge and try going to work with my tilak-chandlo on. I figured that as none of my seniors would be there at night, I'd be saved from too much embarrassment.
As I arrived for work that first night, my engineer colleagues naturally asked about my tilak-chandlo, and I satisfied their curiosity with some confidence. But then things took a turn.
It was around 1:30 at night when one of the machines developed a fault. It was a vital machine and if it wasn't repaired instantly, the company stood to lose Rs. 125,000 every hour.
The first thing we did was call our immediate boss. He then called his superior, and one by one, in no time at all, the company's entire senior work team had gathered - the Senior Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, Chief Engineer and the General Manager. The very people I was hoping to avoid, somehow, from somewhere, had all come together at the same time. They even noticed the tilak-chandlo on my forehead, but so engrossed were they in repairing the faulty machine, that no one questioned me or so much as raised an eyebrow.
The machine was back in motion an hour later, but with that, my embarrassment had also taken flight. And my tilak-chandlo became a permanent part of me.
I truly felt that Swamishri himself must have set up the whole incident to help me overcome my shyness.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
Discourses Despite Illness
1975. A bath in the cold water of the river Und (in Bhadra) had taken its toll on Swamishri's health. By early evening, he'd already come out with a heavy fever. Later that night, when we arrived in the village of Bhesdad from Bhadra, Swamishri was told to rest and given an injection to help the fever subside.
The sadhus requested, 'There's no need for you to attend the sabha tonight. We'll go ourselves.'
Swamishri remarked, 'It's not proper if all the devotees come and the Guru sleeps.'
'But Bapa,' the sadhus urged, 'there's still the opening of the women's mandir tomorrow morning. That's going to be tiring enough. So why don't you take a little rest right now...' Swamishri remained silent - and stern.
Time for the sabha arrived and Swamishri was already there. His body still burning with fever, Swamishri's face clearly looked off-color and rather frail.
To speed up the sabha, Narayan Bhagat (Viveksagar Swami) and Doctor Swami made only short speeches. Swamishri was told too, 'Make sure your blessings are short. We want you to get back and rest.'
But once Swamishri started, he kept going. For 70 long minutes Swamishri spoke to the devotees in the sabha - as if he were fit as a horse.
In Vachanamrut Gadhada II-29, Shriji Maharaj describes the qualities of someone who is totally engrossed in God. He explains, 'Even if he be suffering from the severest of illnesses,... but when it comes to the spiritual discourses of God, he seems as if he is not ill at all.'
I experienced this for myself in Swamishri that night.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
1975. A bath in the cold water of the river Und (in Bhadra) had taken its toll on Swamishri's health. By early evening, he'd already come out with a heavy fever. Later that night, when we arrived in the village of Bhesdad from Bhadra, Swamishri was told to rest and given an injection to help the fever subside.
The sadhus requested, 'There's no need for you to attend the sabha tonight. We'll go ourselves.'
Swamishri remarked, 'It's not proper if all the devotees come and the Guru sleeps.'
'But Bapa,' the sadhus urged, 'there's still the opening of the women's mandir tomorrow morning. That's going to be tiring enough. So why don't you take a little rest right now...' Swamishri remained silent - and stern.
Time for the sabha arrived and Swamishri was already there. His body still burning with fever, Swamishri's face clearly looked off-color and rather frail.
To speed up the sabha, Narayan Bhagat (Viveksagar Swami) and Doctor Swami made only short speeches. Swamishri was told too, 'Make sure your blessings are short. We want you to get back and rest.'
But once Swamishri started, he kept going. For 70 long minutes Swamishri spoke to the devotees in the sabha - as if he were fit as a horse.
In Vachanamrut Gadhada II-29, Shriji Maharaj describes the qualities of someone who is totally engrossed in God. He explains, 'Even if he be suffering from the severest of illnesses,... but when it comes to the spiritual discourses of God, he seems as if he is not ill at all.'
I experienced this for myself in Swamishri that night.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
A Wedding Procession!
One hot summer's day in 1975. The devotees of Umreth had arranged a procession for Swamishri through the village streets. I was hovering here and there around Swamishri's decorated car, making sure all went smoothly.
Suddenly, Swamishri called me and told me to get into his car. He had me sit near the driver. A few moments later, Swamishri uttered, 'Consider this your wedding procession. There is no need for another one. Now the time has come for you to wed the Lord!'
Swamishri reinforced my wish to become a sadhu in a very touching way. After this incident my desire gathered even greater momentum.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
One hot summer's day in 1975. The devotees of Umreth had arranged a procession for Swamishri through the village streets. I was hovering here and there around Swamishri's decorated car, making sure all went smoothly.
Suddenly, Swamishri called me and told me to get into his car. He had me sit near the driver. A few moments later, Swamishri uttered, 'Consider this your wedding procession. There is no need for another one. Now the time has come for you to wed the Lord!'
Swamishri reinforced my wish to become a sadhu in a very touching way. After this incident my desire gathered even greater momentum.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas