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Day of Initiation
It was February 6, 1942. The day of Rup's initiation or dikshā had risen. Long before dawn could reveal the lines upon his palms he was absorbed in meditation. For four hours he entered deeply into himself, thinning out the remaining distractions which might have deterred his mind from turning completely inward. He was cutting the cords which bound his soul, in order to give himself totally to the path of Self-Realization.
From the upāshray at Bordi where Rup was meditating, one could see the sparkling sun-fused waters of the Indian Ocean. Outside in the compound, villagers were gathered eagerly awaiting the moment of initiation. Though they did not know Rup, the occasion of a dikshā was an inspiring moment for all people who revered the teachings of Mahāvir. The air was clean and crisp, and the villagers, as well as Rup's father, were radiant with expectant joy.
Yet there was no hurry. The moment of readiness for initiation was ah internal one, dictated by the soul of the seeker himself.
There was one moment. Rup felt upon the crown of his head a soft touch, an opening, a suffusion of his being with the universe. Inner world was ready for outward ceremony. He rose and slowly made his way to the cell where his teacher awaited him.
Pannyas Shree Chandra Sagarjl asked him: “How is your meditation?'
Rup told him of the feeling at the top of his head, as if a divine finger was gently resting there. His teacher agreed, “The moment of dikshā has come.”.
Without breaking his meditative mood, Rup went out to the compound to greet the villagers. Eyes lowered, somber and singleminded, in humble recognition of the light indwelling in all, he stood at the center of the circle, placed his palms together, and raised them to his forehead as he greeted each of the people in turn. Each one responded to him, echoing his gesture of respect which resounded with the purpose of the
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