Jain Digest 1994 06 Special Issue

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 38

April 22, 1994 THAT FATEFUL DAY
The dawn of April 22, 1994 was to be the last one in the physical realm of the life of H.H. Acharya Sushil Kumar Ji Maharaj - our beloved Guruji. It also marked his last 'Mahavir Jayanti' in their life.
He attended to his daily routine and public appearances not giving any indication of what was to come.
On that fateful day he even went to the house and blessed some of his devotees prior to a public speaking engagement. Enroute his return, he visited a acupuncture doctor who had been attending for the last few months.
This day was hot and humid and upon returning to his Ashram in Defense Colony he partook of his food with his fellow monks and devotees in what was to be his last meal. He complained of some uneasiness, but put it off as some gastric problems. He sat in his office meeting visitors and sipping from a cup of coffee. At about 3:00pm he proceeded to his private chambers and indulged in an unusual shower - as if to ready himself for a tryst with destiny. Thereafter he went in to his bedroom and asked that he be left alone. As was symbolic of his life, he proceeded to a meeting with the ultimate reality. He sat down on his bed in the Padmasan-Lotus position and started repeating Mantras. A little while later he breathed in very deep and breathed out very deep on the third exhalation, he slowly started bending forward, and by the time he had fully exhaled, his head was in his pillow and he had long embarked upon his new journey into the astral beings.
He departed with the same unassuming manner which was characteristic of his entire life.
All of Humanity and nature bowed their heads in respect to their Messiah of Peace and Non Violence.
Page 36
THE LAST JOURNEY
The mortal remains of Param Pujya Guruji was consigned to flames in the evening of April 25, 1994 at about 5:30pm. Amidst choked emotions, tears and utterances of Sanskrit-Shlokas, the mud mounted, specially erected pyre was engulfed by flames whilest millions of devotees paid their last respects to the their beloved Guruji.
Earlier in the day a procession embarked upon its last journey with the mortal remains of Guruji from the Asharam in New Delhi.
The motorcade meandered through the narrow lanes of the walled city of Delhi as a sea of humanity gathered to pay their last respects. The city came to a halt as did the millions of followers around the world. The last rites were performed in the Ashram in Defence Colony New Delhi as his body was placed on a specially erected mount. An ornate metal and silken canopy was kept at one side of the wooden pyre. The top rung of the pyre was adorned with sandalwood while hundreds of wreaths were kept beside the mud rostrum.
O Setting Sun As in thy red rays thou dost set today so in his eternal grace Guruji's Day is set.
June 1994 Jain Digest