Laghurajswami Biography

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 46

Shrimad's portrait. That time many people could take the benefit of his contact, teaching and devotion. After the installation Prabhushri had stayed for two months in a building outside Navsäri. Quite a few people could take the advantage of his presence there. During the next summer he had stayed in Athawä Lines, Surat for a month and a half. Thereafter he had been at Chänod for about a week and came back to Ashram after visiting the river-island Vyäs.
The liberation-seeker Hiräläl Shäh had constructed a building in Ellisbridge area of Ahmedabad and had been urging Prabhushri for installing of Shrimad's portrait there. The latter, however, used to say that it would be done in course of time. During that time Dr. Shärdäben Pundit of Ahmedabad used to come to Ashram to take advantage of Prabhushri. Her brother, who was not much religion-oriented, noticed the change in her life under the influence of Prabhuji. Impressed thereby he said to her by the end of 1934 that he wanted to accompany her on the succeeding Friday. Shärdäben was pleased to hear that and agreed to take him to Ashram
It was, however destined otherwise. Mr. Pundit came under the impact of pneumonia and got bed-ridden. He was therefore feeling sad for his inability to go to Ashram. Meanwhile Prabhushri asked Hiräläl to plan for installation of the portrait during that week-end. Hiräläl was pleased to hear that. He invited all the liberation-seekers to arrive at his place on Saturday and proceeded to Ahmedabad for making necessary arrangements.
Accordingly Prabhushri arrived at Ahmedabad along with hundred liberation-seekers and the installation ceremony of Shrimad's portrait took place with much pomp. After the lunch Prabhushri went to Pundit's home along with a few liberation-seekers. Then the people came to know that the great man had been there to take care of the lucky sick man.
When Prabhushri reached the bedside, Mr. Pundit was feeling uneasy due to fever. As Shäedäben told him that Prabhushri had arrived, he felt very happy; he folded his hands and bowed to him in gratitude. Then Prabhushri virtually showered wholesome teaching upon him. Citing the illustration of king Shrenik he said that Shrenik was an aborigine in the previous life. That time he had taken the vow of averting crow-meat under the directive of an enlightened monk. Since he strictly observed the vow, he was born as Shrenik and would be liberated from the worldly cycle after taking one more birth.
Mr. Pundit was overjoyed to learn about such wholesome consequence of resorting to the directive of the enlightened. Looking to his keenness for spiritual well being, Prabhushri gave him the vow of avoiding seven noneatable articles of food and conferring the Smaran Manta he explained the distinction between the soul and the body. Thus he lent unique awareness and guided him towards the death in quietude.
While returning from the place Prabhushri asked a few liberation-seekers to stay there for reciting Atmasiddhi etc. As they continued to chant the enlightening words close to the ears, the soul of Mr. Pundit remained concentrated therein. Contemplating that the disease, death etc. pertain to the body, while the soul is 'pure, enlightened, consciousness incarnate, self radiant and abode of bliss', he got absorbed within the Self. With such wholesome contemplation he left the body at night and gained unique well being.
From Ahmedabad Prabhushri went to Surendranagar along with a few liberation-seekers. There he stayed for a few days in the building of Jesingbhäi Sheth and gave the benefit of contact to many people. Then he went to Vänkäner at the instance of Vanechand Devjibhäi, and thereafter he went to Vaväniä, the birth place of Shrimad. There he performed devotional worship and then returned to Agäs via Vänkäner.
During the spring of 1935 Prabhushri went to Mt. Abu and stayed there for about three months in Shabari Building rented by Hiräläl Shah. During that period he had been to Ähor for eleven days and directed many people towards the true path. While at Mt. Äbu, he frequently used to go to Delwädä temples and perform Chaityavandan (Devotional prayer), etc. For eight days he had stayed in Achalgadh and had performed there Atmasiddhi Poojan.
The then ruling princes of Limdi, Jasdan, Sänand etc. and Prabhashankar Pattani, the Diwan (Chief minister) of Bhävanagar used to frequently come to Abu in order to see him, and listen to his teaching at length. They thus became instrumental in bringing out the wonderful teaching. At the instance of the prince of Limdi Prabhushri had also elaborated the meanings of Ätmasiddhishästra.