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In spite of that obvious indication we did not remain cautious by virtue of attachment. We remained under the impression that he was suffering from weakness. At 2.30 A.M. while he was in the grip of acute cold, he said not to worry and that he was to leave in quietude. The cold went down by resorting to certain means. At 7.45 A.M. we gave some milk that he took. His mind, speech and body had remained in perfect order.
At 8.45 A.M. he said, "Mansukh, do not feel unhappy; take care of the mother; I am now being absorbed in the true nature.' So saying he asked me to move him to a coach from the bed that he had been in since 7.30. A.M. As he was very weak, I thought that I should not make that change. Thereupon he commanded me to move him immediately.
I therefore made necessary arrangements on the coach so that he can peacefully lie upon it and that body and the pious soul departed thereupon in tranquility. There were no signs of soul having left the body. The brightness on the face continued to increase as the vitality of life went down. That very state, in which he was photographed in the standing posture at Surendranagar, continued to prevail for five hours on that coach. Nothing like urination, excretion, change of face, tears in eyes, perspiration etc. occurred from 7.45 A.M. to 2.00 P.M. when the soul left. Normally he had to go for toilet one hour after taking milk; that also did not happen. Everything remained in control like a machine after winding of its key. The pious soul left the body in the tranquility.
Dhärshibhai and Navalbhäi have the sentences dictated by him five or six days prior to the departure. He had undertaken all the activities with a detached mind; he did not attribute therein any sense of belonging; he had invariably remained objective. Now whom can we resort to? think that bearing in mind his ambrosial words and behaving in line with his noble character constitute the greatest resort"
Navalbhai was present at the time of Shrimad's departure. He has written in a letter to Ambälälbhäi, "The image of Shrimad at the time of departure was unparalleled, full of consciousness, peaceful, fascinating and worth looking at continuously. Not only did it seem that way to us, who are the admirers of his attributes; but others, who were present there, also felt it surprising and it raised a sense of worshipfulness among them. It is not possible to express the feeling, which arose within, by the amazing scene of that time."
The great soul of Shrimad Rajchandra left the mortal body and this area on April 9 1901 at 2.00 P.M. and attained a highest state. The people felt that loss in proportion to their acquaintance with him. His wife spent her time in loneliness while chanting the Mantra given by him. She also left shortly afterwards. Her mother was very delicate at heart. Tears flowed from her eyes when someone talked to her about Shrimad.
Lallujiswami was in Kävithä when the news of Shrimad's departure was received. On the previous day he had observed a fast and he mostly stayed in the woods. As he came to the village for terminating the fast, the liberation-seekers were talking among themselves. As Lalluji inquired about it and learnt about Shrimad's departure, he immediately turned back and bore the pangs of loss alone without taking food or water. He was very much shocked by the news. That day he did not even take water. At night other monks took care of him. Shrimad was the great resort and was equivalent to a desiring-yielding tree in respect of nourishing the religious spirit. As such, his loss was unbearable to every spiritual aspirant. It is said in Atmasiddhishästra:
Sadgurunä Upadesh Van, Samajäy Na Jin Roop; Samajyä Van Upakär Sho, Samajye Jin Swaroop.
The nature of the Omniscient Lord cannot be understood unless explained by the true Guru. Without understanding there is no benefit, and understanding leads to omniscience.
Similarly those who have realized the importance of a true Guru by understanding the nature of soul through him, find his loss unbearable. Ambälälbhäi has presented the feeling within his heart
