Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 60

to sit there in a separate place and to read the copies of Shrimad's letters. They did not go to listen the discourses.
Accordingly they were once reading the letters. That time Harakhchandji Maharaj, the head of the sect, was giving sermon on Bhagavati Sutra (fifth original scriptural text) upstairs and its pages, as read, were sent downstairs to Lallujiswämi. The latter was considered a remarkable and highly reverent pupil and he was reading those pages to Dämodarbhai Patel, who had studied the scriptures. While reading that, he came across the reference that liberation could be attained when the time was ripe for that. That raised the question in his mind that if the liberation could be gained at the stipulated time, what was the use of renouncing the worldly life and making efforts for that purpose?
While he was discussing that, he saw Ambälälbhäi and others talking a little away. He affectionately reproached them and asked, 'Why don't you go to the discourse? Either go upstairs or come here.' Accordingly they went to him. Since the question of the ripe time for liberation could not be clarified, Ambälälbhäi talked about Shrimad and said that he knew all the scriptures very well. As he added that Shrimad was a man of very high caliber and was going to come to Khambhät, Lallujiswämi asked if they could introduce him to Shrimad and they agreed to do so.
Lallujiswämi asked Harakhchandji about the ripe time, but could not get satisfactory reply. He was therefore anxiously waiting to see Shrimad. In 1890 Shrimad came to Khambhät for the first time and stayed with Ambälälbhäi. The latter took him to Upäshray along with his father Lälchandbhäi. Shrimad had given up Avadhäns, but at the instance of Lälchandbhai and Harakhchandji he performed them in Upäshray. All the monks were amazed to notice the learnedness and the wonderful capability of Shrimad.
The next day Shrimad came to Upäshray and asked Harakhchandji whether there can be Kshäyik Samyaktva (irreversible right perception) in these times. As the latter said 'No', Shrimad asked whether it was mentioned in any scripture. Harakhchandji said that there is a reference in 10th chapter of Sthänäng. Lallujiswämi brought that scripture, but there was no mention of that sort. Then Shrimad read out the essence of that scripture. On hearing that, everyone felt satisfied and began to admire his learning.
Lallujiswami requested him to come upstairs and asked for permission of Harakhchandji to gain something from him. As Harakhchandji agreed, Lallujiswami went upstairs and fell at the feet of Shrimad. Shrimad tried to prevent him, but recognizing him as a supreme being Lallujiswami did that enthusiastically and unhesitatingly This may seem an ordinary event, but it was revolutionary and miraculous in the sense that it became instrumental in transforming the lives of many people, it brought truth out of untruth; and it resembled the entry in a Vidyadhar (a semi-divine being) plane by crossing over the ups and downs of different preconceptions and move in the sky of spiritual philosophy.
Lallujiswami was 14 years older than Shrimad. He was born in a well to do family, was the only son of his parents, and still he had renounced along with three colleagues. There were only four monks in that sub-sect at that time, that number was doubled by the said act of renouncement. By pleasing the Acharya with reverence and other attributes, he had gained prominence among other monks within a period of about five years. His entry in the sub-sect was considered auspicious, because after his renouncement its strength had gone up to fourteen..
Shrimad then described a portion of Sutrakrutäng and talked about truth etc.
Lallujiswämi regularly used to go to Ambäläibhäi' place for contacting Shrimad during seven days the latter stayed in Khambhät.