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saints and did not entertain full faith in them. Thanks to our merit of the past, he gave his consent, and also expressed his joy. I met revered Maharaj Saheb along with K. K. Shah. We had to pursuade him to come and he did. Next day morning M. S. paid a visit to our house. He asked my father :
"Well Karmasibhai! are you overcome with pain and suffering ?” My father moved his head to say 'Yes'.
"Come, all of you hear the Mangalika (benediction)."
My father said then : "I want to worship Revered Guruji and give something." This was done and Shri Guruji was gifted with a shawl. He was then asked to take a vow.
He said : "Kindly don't insist because I have failed in observance of vow in the past."
"My Abhigraha will be very simple. But you should take it with the inner desire of the heart.”
Revered preceptor suggested a simple Abhigraha. It was Japa of just one Navakara Mantra in 24 hours. He gave the Mantra to him with Vasakhepa. My father felt very much delighted.
His last Vihara was towards Sholapur. He then asked : "Does he chant the Navakara or not?” My father sent word that except for the time of sleep my mental chanting of the Navakara goes on continuously.
My father's peace of mind continued to grow. He was hearing in full faith religious sermons every morning. On coming to guess that his time was about to be over, on Sunday, 12-4-'70, he asked me to take off his ring, silver ornamental waist band and wrist-watch. He could