Laghurajswami Biography

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 36

Simultaneously with the rise of favorable circumstances for religious uplift, the physical condition of Laghuräjswämi began to deteriorate. He was ignoring that and was endeavoring for uplift of the religious order to the extent possible. Four times he had rat-bites. Their toxic effect had stayed till the end of his life. Its impact was noticed in his blood even when he was examined in 1936 by Dr. Ratliläl of Ahmedabad and Dr. Pränläl of Baroda. Moreover, he continued to get fever in spite of various medications.
After the end of monsoon Laghuräjswämi went to Täräpur during the later part of 1918 and camped in a room of the ginning factory. Shanabhäi of När remained at his service. Water of Täräpur being unhygienic, the people of När used to bring water with them. Reading from 'Shrimad Rajchandra' was undertaken during that time. Manibhäi came there and stayed for a month and a half along with his family members. Maganbhäi Lallubhäi, the telegraph master of Anand Rail Station also used to come there daily by train. On the full moon day of Fälgun, (Fifth month of the Indian calendar) 300 people from Vataman and other places had assembled there and had enthusiastically performed the devotional worship.
While it was being considered to move to some other place on account of the unhygienic conditions of Täräpur, Motibhäi Bhagat and Bhagvänjibhäi urged Laghuräjswämi to go to Simardä and accordingly he went there. His physical condition took a serious turn there on account of a quack treatment. That can be seen from the following extracts of a letter from Ranchhodbhäi to Ratnarajshri.
"At Täräpur he was advised to take liquefied roots of a particular plant in order to remove the toxic impact of ratbites and Laghuräjswämi had taken it for six days. That treatment was resumed at Simardä. Starting with a dose of two/three grams he increased it to ten grams. That resulted in motions and vomits. That was perceived as bearable for five days. The plant, however, being worn out, its roots had poisonous effect. That led to severe motions and vomits on the sixth day, and also caused gastric trouble. There was severe burning sensation and the body temperature went up. The stomach pain grew so acute that it seemed as if the end was near. All of us were confused. It was a small village; there was no physician, nor was any medication available. There was no one, who could be helpful. Thank God, Laghuräjswämi himself asked to feed him ghee. We hesitatingly fed a little, because he was having fever. Since that intake led some comfort, we fed it again. That day was thus passed in very risky condition. The next day he had to bear heating pain at urination and excretion, but there seemed to be more relief... The roots of the plant were discontinued. The plan of Laghuråswämi's and my coming to that side has been postponed."
In reply Ratnaräjshri had written, "Laghuräjswämi is angelic and may not remain aware of his physical state; he might be dispassionately observing whatever arises. It is the duty of those, who are by his side, to take care of his body. The relationship of preceptor and pupil in spiritual realm is laid for that very purpose. ... The service that you are rendering to the manifest life-conferring personality is admirable."
"Only those, who remain attached to true nature of Guru, can be considered really detached. Those, who resort to the true nature of Guru, are truly ascetic. Those, who remain at the shelter of true Guru, are truly fortunate. Those, who stay away from true Guru, happen to cling to the branches instead of holding to the trunk."
Since the people of Kävitha were insisting on Laghuräjswämi's presence, he went there. The eighteenth anniversary of Shrimad Rajchandra was celebrated there in 1919. In a letter addressed to Ratnaräjshri. Ranchhodbhäi had described it as under.
"A large pavilion was constructed on the occasion of Shrimad's anniversary. Therein was made a cloth covered sanctum-like a canopy in which was installed the portrait of Graceful Lord. About 200 people had come from När, Sunäv, Bhadran, Borsad etc. Dämjibhai and Manibhäi had come from Bombay, while Poojäbhäi, Kalyanjibhäi and others had been from Ahmedabad. Inclusive of the people of Kävitha and roundabout villages there were about 2000 people, who participated in the unique devotional worship. How can I adequately describe that?"
In an encouraging reply Ratnaräjshri wrote, “Devotional worship is like the monsoon season when water flows everywhere. The flow that continues till the end of summer constitutes the smoothly moving river."
Meanwhile the condition of Laghuräjswämi was steadily deteriorating. In order to avert the heat of summer and to