________________
an ideal sustained him and he was cured. In illness, he was inspired with the thought of having a hospital built where hundreds of patients could be cured of T.B.
This was the origin of the world famous Sarvodaya Hospital in Bombay. As it grew to accommodate two thousand patients, it became known as the unique hospital where patients became well on the basis of a strict vegetarian diet. World Health Organization officials came from far and near to observe how within fifteen days to three months' time, patients became free from disease without ever touching meat, fish, or eggs in their diet. Shri Kantibhai, the man with the dream, was a practicing Jain. He and his wife Kusumben dedicated their lives to supervising the hospital and making for the patients a special daily haluah from sesame seeds, almond meal, ghee, and whole wheat flour. It was a very strengthening food.
In Kantibhai's life there was ah unresolved problem, a fear stemming from the prediction of an astrologer that he would not live past the year 1969. He sought out Gurudev's guidance. Gurudev suggested that he have a temple built at the entryway of the hospital. It could be dedicated to Pārśvanātha, the twentythird Tirthankara who lived in 850 B.C., whose teaching of non-violence and compassion was followed by Mahāvir's parents, and who/was known and revered for his special healing vibrations. In the ancient books, it was said, "At the mere mention of the name Lord Parsva, disturbances cease, the darśan of him destroys all fear of rebirth, and the worship of him removes guilt and sickness."
In this way, the doctors, nurses, and hospital personnel could become inspired in their work and bathed in the positive healing vibrations. Patients, their families, anyone seeking seclusion from the din of the city could meet there, meditate, and find peace. Its doors would be open to all.
Gurudev asked Shri Kantibhai to take the advice of his student, K. D. Shah, who was a very fine engineer and architect. He designed a spacious and airy rotunda where people could sit in peace and feel as if they were still out of doors. An exquisite statue of Parsvanatha, all in black marble, arrived from Kadambagiri.
In April 1969, Gurudev was invited to bless the statue
243
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
