Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 88

Once while going for a walk, Motiläl kept his new shoes in front of Shrimad, who put on the same. After walking about three miles as they sat, Motiläl noticed that the shoes had hurt the feet. The skin was abrased and blood was dripping; but Shrimad was not attentive to that. Motilal felt sorry for giving the new shoes. He took them out and removing the dust on the feet, he smoothly cleaned them. Thereafter Motiläl picked up the shoes. Going a little ahead they saw a monkey on a neem-tree. Shrimad smiled and said, "Great one, though you are without possession and without any connection, yet remember, liberation is not nearby."
At that time Devkaranji and other monks were in Khedä; they got the contact of Shrimad for 23 days. They availed the benefit of that contact much of the time. As Devkaranji was sharp and intelligent, his prejudices gave way and he developed true faith in Shrimad. He had described it in a letter addressed to Lallujiswämi at Vaso. That being worth pondering over is given below.
"At the service of graceful Lallujiswami at Vaso, Please accept the humble obeisance of Muni Devkaran from Khedä
The illusion pertaining to wrong guru disappeared by virtue of the instructions pertaining to chapter 32 of Uttaradhyayan and I became fully convinced of the true Guru. That has been firmly determined. It was a thrilling experience. The conviction reached at the bottom of heart and it was decided to remain faithful to him. For eradicating inclination towards the tastes and sense objects, the amazingly wonderful instructions specified that one should behave with a sense of enmity towards the tendency for sleep, anger etc. They should be despised and if they are not still overcome, they should be mercilessly cooled down. In case, they still resist, we should keep that in mind and annihilate them when the opportunity arises. One can gain the real bliss only if he behaves as a bold warrior and overcomes those enemies. Moreover, I was spellbound to learn about the supreme Guru's detached, illuminating state of realization prevailing at Uttarsandä.
Once after taking my meal I went to the place where Shrimad had put up. It was a four level building and Shrimad was on the third floor. That time I noticed him in a wonderful state of addressing himself. I thought that if I disclosed myself that time, it would result in disturbing his delightful state. I therefore stayed behind a wall and started listening.
"The great soul that had stayed at Rälaj in 1892 was cool and peaceful; one at Vaso this year, was the wonderful ascetic staying tuned to soul; one staying here is also the supreme ascetic staying in tranquility.' That way, he was describing his unclad, non-denominational, disentangled state.
What you had said has come true. The fruit was ripened, its juice has been tasted, and tranquility has been gained. It would now be possible to remain true to him. The liberation seems visible in remaining at the service of the true Guru. Graceful Guide has extended full favor. At his instance was reciting the 10th chapter of Sutrakrutäng Part 1 and he was explaining that by elaborating its contents. I heard that fully. Moreover, he had given the 13th chapter for reading and thereafter he had explained its meanings at length. I could perhaps comprehend it partly due to my short intellect.
Here, aside from using some time for food, we are spending the entire time at the service of Guru and that is right. The same sentence turning out of his mouth seems a new one. As such, it has not been possible to convey anything by letters and I beg pardon for that. What I intend to write is that we have been listening delightfully. His highest instructions have been to thin the body, to figure out its essence, and to pass away leaving the skeleton behind. Find out the thief of defilement dwelling within, burn it, perform its post-funeral ritual and attain rest in peace; be free; rest within; and experience the bliss. Do that immediately. By listening to the enlightened Guru, if one adopts and resorts to even a word with total devotion, that itself is liberation; it points towards the liberation."