Laghurajswami Biography

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 26

Tärangä. On the way there is a hillock called Dhundhalimal's Bhonkharo near Dhändhär. It is also called Guru's Bhonkharo. At the top there is a rock rising like a tuft. Since it was not possible to climb upon it otherwise, a staircase had been erected by tying series of bamboos. Some rungs of the stairs were missing and bamboos also were broken. Though the height of the rock was scary, Lallujiswami carefully climbed over the stairs and reached the top. It was flat and the pleasurable wind was blowing there. As such, he considered it a good place for performing devotion and called Mohanlälji up, but the latter did not dare to go up. Encouraging him Lallujiswami said, "You will be pleased to come here. The bamboos are not brittle, so courageously come up." Thereupon Mohanlälji started climbing tremblingly. As he came near the top, Lallujiswämi pulled him up. Mohanlälji was happy to be there. They performed devotion for about an hour and then went round the entire area. There was a flag tied to a rock. The local people worshipped it as the place of Guru. There was also a cave, where fairs were held some times during the year. After finishing the pilgrimage, Lallujiswämi moved towards Vaso and passed the monsoon of 1907 there.
After completing the monsoon at Vaso Lallujiswämi went to Fenäv near Khambhät. The liberation-seekers of that village as well as those from Khambhät had assembled at a place of retreat outside Fenäv village. One young man named Ranchhodbhäi had been there on business. He had studied the books of Vedänt and had gained some background thereof. As he came to know that Lallujiswami had been there, he came to see him. His father Laxmichandji had left the sect along with Lallujiswämi. As such, Ranchhodbhäi did not have the opportunity to come in contact with the monks of Sthänakwasi sect. Moreover with his knowledge of Vedänt he did not have much regard for Jainism. As such, while the discussion was going on about the principles of Jainism, Ranchhodbhäi asked, "You believe in the detached Lords, who cannot give you anything; what is then the purpose in worshipping them?”
Lallujiswämi did not say anything that time, and taking Ranchhodbhäi as a stranger other people ignored what he said. After all of them left, Lallujiswämi took Ranchhodbhäi aside and asked, "Is it appropriate to raise such question in the midst of all?" Since then it was set in his mind that Lallujiswami was truly interested in his well being. It was unconscious sowing of the seed of affection.
From Fenäy Lallujiswami went to Borsad. While Devkaranji was alive, the residents of Borsad had shown their eagerness for his spending the monsoon of 1902. That could not materialize on account of his death. It was therefore settled that Lallujiswami should pass the monsoon of 1908 there. Borsad is not a part of Khabhät circle; yet in view of the possibility of people of Barwälä сircle arriving there during the monsoon, Lallujiswämi decided to stay in Digambar inn. Laxmichandji was with him. For devotion, prayer, religious discussion, etc, it was arranged to use the building of Jethäbhäi Parmanand outside the village limits. Since many people, males as well as females, came under the influence of devotion during that monsoon, it was decided to set up 'Shrimad Rajchandra Päthshälä' there so as to maintain the impact of devotion.
Ranchhodbhäi had been there from När. He asked Lallujiswämi to show the path of liberation. That time the latter was reading "Shrimad Rajchandra'. He held the pages pertaining to Atmasiddhi of that book and said that those pages contained the path of liberation. Thereafter Ranchhodbhäi got the book and thought that Lallujiswami had pointed out the pages relating to Updeshchhäyä. Thereupon he repeatedly read those pages and was much fascinated. Thereby he came to a firm opinion that liberation can be attained in the present time by the grace of true Guru. He had, however, to stay without the wholesome contact for a couple of years, because during those years Lallujiswami was moving towards Vadäli, Pälitänä etc.
During 1907 and 1908 Lallujiswämi had been in Charotar area and had passed the monsoons at Vaso and Borsad. As such, Ratnaräjshri, who was moving in North Gujarat, could not see him despite his inclination to get in contact It seems from his letter that he might have come in contact with Lallujiswämi after 1908 during the latter's moving around Vadäli and Idar. The letter states, "The objective of this writer remains the same as mentioned during our meeting and as discussed on the way to Ahmedabad and Siddhapur."
Popatlal Mahokamchand frequently used to come in contact with Lallujiswämi. Ratnarajshri's contact with him had led to the growth of affectionate devotion for Lallujiswämi. Meanwhile he happened to read the manuscript copies of Shrimad's writing that Dämjibhäi had. That led to increase in his sense of devotion and he felt that it was worth