________________
Chapter 27: THE LAST TRIBUTE
Deh Chhatan Jeni Dashä, Varte Dehätit; Te Jnäninä Charanamän, Ho Vandan Aganit.
My innumerable obeisance be at the feet of the enlightened, who behave transcendentally even while being embodied.
How can the words reach where even the mind cannot go? If one thinks over this sentence, it would be obvious that the height of the great men, having inconceivable esteem, cannot be measured by words. By looking at the sun the eyes are dazzled. That is a shining object, which helps in seeing all other objects, but the eyesight cannot be steadied there; that is the esteem of the sun. Similarly while narrating the indescribable esteem of the highly great men, the learned men have to end with the words like unfathomable, infinite etc.
Shrimad has sung in 'Unprecedented Occasion':
Je Pad Shri Sarvajne Dithun Jnänamän, Kahi Shakya Nahin Pan Te Shri Bhagvan Jo; The Swaroopane Anya Väni Te Shun Kahe? Anubhavagochar Mätra Rahun Te Jnän Jo. Apoorva.
That is the state perceived by the omniscient in their enlightenment, but which even the Lords could not describe in words. What can anyone else state about that, which can be known only by experiencing it? When?
While being embodied Shrimad had equanimity for respect or disrespect. Considering the reputation as a disgrace, he had decided to stay unrecognized so that no obstruction could arise while displaying the true knowledge. More than 100 years have passed away since then. As he has nothing to do with the adoration of his greatness, the original author of the book in Gujarati also did not look for any worldly benefit in narrating his life. His endeavor was simply to point out that the great men are the pillars of the world, that they have attained blissful happiness, that they provide refuge to the people desirous of happiness, and that they constitute the source of happiness.
He was convinced that even the innumerable books of this type cannot bring out the change in life, which can be effected even by one word received during the direct contact of self-realized persons. The purpose of composing these words was simply to resort to the devotion of the saintly people. The devotee-poet Mäntungächärya says in Bhaktämar:
Alpashrutam Shrutavatäm Parihäsdhäm, Tvadbhaktirev Mukhari Kurute Balänmäm; Yatkokilah Kil Madhau Mahuram Virauti, Tatchäruchutakalikänikaraikahetuh.
Lord, though my scriptural knowledge is ridiculous as compared to that of the well-read people, my devotion for you compels me to speak out; the cuckoo, which usually remains silent in other seasons, starts cooing sweet in the spring because of being enamored of flowering of the mango tree.
In the end he gives a stanza from 'Subhäshit Ratnasandoh' of Acharya Amitgati, which presents the portrait of a saint and is representative of Shrimad's life.
Chittälhädi Vyasanavimukhah Shoktäpäpanodi, Prajnotpädi Shravanasubhagam, Nyayamärgänuyäyi; Tathyam Pathyam Vyapagatamalam, Särthakam Muktabädham, Yo Nirdosham Rachayati Vachastam Budhah Santmähuh.
