Laghurajswami Biography

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 34

Shrimad had said to Laghuräjswämi that business people would try to be their guides. Those so-called reformers were making that prediction effective... It became hard for the monks to move in Charotar region, where there had been many followers of Shrimad. In order to know about the movements of Laghuräjswämi those people had arranged for a man who professed to belong to monks' side, but actually kept watch over the people who came to Laghuräjswämi, the nature of their talks, plans for movement etc. and convey the same to the main person. That group thus continued to make the monks tiresome so as to force them towards its side. For showing his outward regard for Laghuräjswämi the main person used to see him at times and display outward courtesy.
By the end of 1915 monsoon Ratnaräjshri sent a packet of medicines to Laghuräjswämi and wrote that he would soon reach Nadiäd. There was a lonely Kämnäth temple at Känisä, which both of them had seen. The keeper of the temple had sent two letters to Ratnaräjshri inviting him to stay there. Considering Ratnaräjshri as more practical Laghuräjswämi usually acceded to what he said. It was within his nature to go along with others' views even at the cost of his own convenience. After the arrival of Ratnaräjshri at Nadiäd both of them therefore went to stay at the temple.
Ratnaräjshri was of the opinion that it would be better if there could be a separate room for Laghuräjswämi. He therefore arranged for erecting a cottage with help and permission of the local people. Ranchhodbhäi used to provide finance in order to see that the monks were not anyway inconvenienced. Laghuräjswämi was, however, practical and considerate. He could see that only one man had to bear all the costs. Since it was not possible to change the nature of Ratnaräjshri, he had made up his mind to move to a lonely place. After the devotional worship on the occasion of Shrimad's anniversary in 1916 when Ratnaräjshri went to Ahmedabad in order to see Gandhijee, Poojäbhäi and others, Laghuräjswämi left the place and went to När. Meeting Laxmichandji and Ranchhodbhäi he said that he no longer wanted to be a burden upon anyone. He would therefore go to woods and end the life while observing Käusagga; he did not want anyone to go to him. Ranchhodbhäi had narrated that with tears in his eyes.
From När Laghuräjswämi went to Nadiad and from there to Ahmedabad, where he stayed in an inn. Meanwhile Ratnaräjshri had been to Pälanpur. Laghuräjswämi saw Gandhijee, Poojäbhäi and others and then proceeded towards Saurashtra. Käbhai Mundäs of Sunäv had accompanied him. Initially he was to go to Kunkäväv and then to Junägadh. The monsoon of 1916 was passed there. He did not enter into much correspondence after setting up at Junagadh. For some time he did not write even to Ranchhodbhai.
About the conditions at Junägadh he has mentioned, "Steady at the nice woody place, this is the right place of retreat for ascetics to meditate, a pleasurable place where the mind can rest in peace, the lonely place; it is convenient in every respect, water also is conducive and no problem is to be faced... This location is very convenient to the detached, ascetics and meditators... My Lord, I feel very light-hearted; no one says a word by the grace of true Guide; on the contrary the people display devotional mode... Here all sorts of fancy and disturbance come to the end... Delightful enlightenment prevails by virtue of surrendering to the Guru... Plague had shown its face in the city, but it is good that there is no impact here in Prakashpuri (beyond the city limits). We have informed Kalyanjibhäi of Bagasarä that we would not go to him at present. God willing, we want to stay here for the time being; we would see what happens later on."
In another letter he has mentioned, "It is a pleasure that I can at present endeavor at ease to calm down the tendencies by the grace of true Guru. It is possible to remain merely an observer of the ascetic measures that are being resorted to at ease. That is the only truth; everything else is false. Why indulge in fancy?"
On the occasion of 1916 Samvatsari while atoning for the faults he wrote to Ratnaräjshri, “I am sorry to learn about your physical condition regarding swoon and loss of tongue. I had noticed that problem earlier and wish that no one gets such disease.... I am longing to get the news of your recovery."
After the end of monsoon Laghuräjswämi went to Bagasarä along with Ratiläl Motichand of Rajkot and stayed in his ginning factory for a month. Manibhai and Kalyanjibhäi of Bagasarä had the occasions to see him at Nadiad, Känisä and Junägadh. During the plague epidemic at Junagadh they wanted to take him to Bagasarä. As such, Laghuräjswämi moved from the ginning factory to Manibhäi's place and stayed there for most of the year 1917. Manibhäi had mostly to stay at Bombay for his business, but his parents and other family members remained at the service of Laghuräjswämi. Moreover, Manibhäi came from Bombay a couple of times in order to see him. He has