Laghurajswami Biography

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 43

In spite of the ill-health Prabhushri had been moving to various places in order to be helpful to liberation-seekers. By the end of 1928 he had gone to Bhädran for 18 days and to Dharmaj for four/five days. During the summer of 1929 he had moved for about two months at Bharuch, Jhagadiä, Nikorä etc. In 1930 he had been to Karamsad, Sunäv, Verä, Borsad, Däol etc. In 1931 he had been to Simardä, Nadiad, När etc. and had performed the installation ceremony at När. In 1932 he had been to Petläd, Dantäli, Simardä, Kävithä etc. Wherever he went, he used to spread the religious hue and direct the people towards the right path.
During early 1930 Mänekji Sheth had been to Ashram. Before leaving he saw Prabhushri and told him that he was going to Indore. By virtue of his wholesome Karma Prabhushri lent him the unique teaching at that time. Mänekji remained so concentrated that he lost sight of the train timings. When Prabhushri pointed out that the train had left, he simply uttered, "The train that had left would come back, but this body would not be regained.' Thereafter Prabhushri gave him the instructions that were destined to be the last, and Mänekji Sheth went to Indore by another train.
The next month he became seriously ill. That time a liberation-seeker went to see him. Mänekji Sheth told him, "I am going to face a mortal event this year and may not survive. Please stay with me and chant Smaran-Mantra to me. Even if I become unconscious, please continue to chant. Leave aside everything else and please do this much."
He had also called his relatives and the liberation-seekers roundabout and had atoned for his faults. In the afternoon of the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Mahä (About February) he himself wrote a telegram to the Ashram praying for the blessing and shelter forever. Prabhushri replied by telegram, "The soul does not die; Mantra covers everything; stay tuned to it; Brahmachärijee is coming there.' As Mänekji read it, he was much pleased. Meanwhile the liberation-seeker by his side continued to chant the Mantra. The pious soul of Mänekji remained alert and concentrated. He gained unique quietude and his soul left the body at 11.00 P.M.
Since Prabhushri had stayed at the place of Mänekji Sheth at Poona, the religious orientation that the latter had gained had continued to rise. He remained at the service of Prabhushri physically, mentally as well as financially, and had left no stone unturned in that respect. He was imbibed with many adorable virtues like straightforwardness, generosity, humility, compassion, affection etc. Moreover, he had firm faith in the directives of Graceful Lord and the willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of Ashram.
By about the end of 1930 Ravjibhäi Kothäri breathed his last in Ashram with total quietude. That was a very rare and unique event. Only those, who have earned very wholesome Karma, can gain the favorable circumstances that he had at the time of death. It was the wholesome place of retreat and the liberation-seekers of the Ashram had a high sense of regard for the departing soul. In order to atone for the sins Kshamäpanä (Lesson of Atonement), Pratikraman (Other Sutras of Atonement), 20 lyrics of humility, etc. were recited to him for a couple of days prior to the death; Atmasiddhi (Self-Realization), Apoorva Avasar (Unprecedented Occasion) etc. were recited by his bedside for maintaining Self-awareness, which he could maintain up to the end. Chanting of Smaran Mantra was continuing for the rest of time.
Prabhushri used to come to see him a couple of times every day in order to provide him the benefit of contact. His soul was highly delighted when Prabhushri came there and he used to say, 'I have been waging war against the situation-conferring Karma. On one side is the self-awareness and on the other stays the situation. In order to maintain awareness in the situation I am seeking the shelter of the great men like Gajsukumär Muni.'
On the last day prior to his departure when Muni Mohanlälji came to see him at 3.00 P.M., Ravjibhäi was asleep. As he woke up, he got up and bowed to Mohanlälji. Then he asked for removing the screen across the portrait of Graceful Lord in the cabinet facing him and bowed to it. Thereupon Mohanlälji said, 'One needs to firmly stay at his shelter; the well being lies in maintaining faith in him.' Thereafter he recited the stanzas of 'Fast unto Death' and *Four Shelters' and then began to read to him the last letter addressed by the Graceful Lord to Saubhägyabhäi.
By that time Ravjibhäi had retained the consciousness; there was no sign of imminent death and he was carefully listening to the letter. Meanwhile Prabhushri arrived there. Ravjibhäi was highly delighted to see him. Pointing his finger towards the portrait and to Prabhushri he showed that he had the Graceful Lord at heart as indicated by Prabhushri. The latter also said that it was the only thing to be kept in mind.