Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 65

When Lallujiswämi used to go to Shrimad, he used to say that if Devkaranji learns the truth, it would be beneficial to many people, because he could satisfy everyone. Shrimad, however, did not show interest about it. Since Lallujiswami continued to point it out, he was allowed to bring Devkaranji along with him.
Once as both the monks came, Shrimad asked Muni Devkaranji, "Who gives discourses? How many people assemble there?"
Muni: "About 1000 people come for the discourses."
Shrimad: "Does any undue instinct occur on seeing the women?
Muni: "Mentally it occurs, but not physically."
Shrimad: "The monk needs to avert it mentally, verbally as well as physically."
Muni (in an accusing tone): When you sit at the cushion and diamonds, rubies etc. are lying in front of you, is your tendency not any way affected?"
Shrimad: "Muni, we notice that as acute poison; do you feel that way?"
Devkaranji was taken aback to hear that.
Shrimad: "What are you?"
Devkaranji: "So long as the tendency remains firm, I am a monk."
Shrimad: "In that case, can a layman in that state not be considered a monk?
Devkaranji remained quiet.
Shrimad: "Muni, we remain separate like the pulp within a cocoanut. What is the state of right percipient in the tenets of detached Lords? He stays separate from every aspect, as coconut pulp remains separate from the cocoanut. Without understanding it, the people talk of right perception from the sectarian angle. Do you call it right perception?"
Devkaranji: "That cannot be considered right perception."
Shrimad: "The nature of right perception has to be different, please think over that."
Once Lallujiswami alone went to Shrimad. As the subject of initiating someone came for discussion, Shrimad said, "You should not initiate; if Devkaranji wants to have pupils, let him do it." The latter did initiate a person, but that man got involved in slandering the enlightened; he became crazy and left the sect.
Lallujiswämi asked for a portrait, but Shrimad did not heed to it. When Lallujiswämi insisted upon that, Shrimad wrote and gave the following stanza of Sutrakrutäng.
Sambujzahä Jantavo Mänusattam Datthubhayam Bälisen Alambho; Egant Dukkhe Jariev Loe, Sakkammana Vippariyasu Vai.'
It means:- 'Oh people, understand, please understand; bear in mind that it is very hard to obtain human life. Remember that discernment cannot arise out of ignorance and that the entire universe is afflicted with misery. The worldly beings do not look for distress and yet they have been bearing the distress of birth and death by virtue of their own Karmas. Please ponder over that.'