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As strict as a father...
No "sev'n "tea" before you memorize, sevanti!
Guru Se sacche aur guru se acche, koi dost nahi hote hai, Jo shishya ke dosho ko jhamindost kar dete hai!" I was going through an awesome article of my grandgurudev, Pujyapad Aacharya Shri Rajratnasuri M.S. written in Gujarat Samachar, for Pujyapad Shri Suryodayasuri Maharaj (his gurudev) just a week later he attained Kaal dharma (Death) In Andheri. And these were the lines in Hindi, the article was concluded with. The topic moved around the point to signify that he had all the qualities, a mentor is expected to possess. There were quite a few 7-8 instances of his life recorded in the article that were collectively trying to prove him a successful gurudev. Some where he was found as emotional as a mother, somewhere he was strict as a father, sometimes helpful as a friend and sometimes generous to neglect some small faults and short-comings of his disciples! But especially when I came across the incident regarding his strictness as a gurudev, I was reminded of the famous Gujrati proverb, "vad evaa tetaa ne baap evaa beta!" Just as the banyan - fruits are identical to the banyan-trees, sons mostly receive everything in heritage form their fathers! His gurudev, Dharmasuri Maharaj would also implement this strictness on him in his early childhood
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days, obviously due to which he evolved out as a pre-eminent great Aacharya of 21st Century!
He actually achieved Kaal dharma on VS 2071, Jeth Sud 3, dated 05-06-2015, Saturday at the age of 84. Perfectly 70 years ago, in VS 2001, and he was with Panyas Dharmavijayji Maharaj in the form of a small child named 'Sevanti'. He had accompanied Dharmavijayji Maharaj for acquiring the guidelines and information required to prepare his mind for renouncing this world. He was a sharp-minded child and hence, his gurudev had framed several subjects and verses for him to be memorized in the shortest period of time, he had the propriety to do! Dharmavijayji Maharaj had advised him to memorize at least 5 gatha (verses) in the early dawn, before having the Navkarshi (Breakfast). Although, I used the word 'advice', in reality, it wasn't just a mere advice, it was an unchangeable norm, he wasn't just expected, but had to compulsorily follow it any how! Anyways, Sevanti was so obedient, brilliant and systematic boy, that he would carry on this task with consistency in such a way, that he would never feel, it was a rule for him! As he was obeying his gurudev's command devotionally without any issue, Dharmavijayji