Life of Shrimad Rajchandra

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 92

The second day
The next day in the morning we went under the same mango tree. Shrimad was coming while chanting Ardhamägadhi stanzas. Since he was coming through a gorge, we could not see him, but the voice of chanting was being heard. We waited under the tree till he arrived. Then keeping his face towards the East, he chanted aloud the following stanzas of Dravyasangrah (the collection of basic substance)
Mä Mujjah Mä Rajjah, Mä Doosah, Itthanittha Atthesu Thiramichchhahi Jai Chittam, Vichittajzänappasiddhie.
If you want to concentrate the mind for achieving absolute meditation, avert delusion, craving and aversion towards the desirable or undesirable objects.
Jam Kinchivi Chintato, Nirihavitti Have Jadä Sähoo Laddhoonay Eyattam, Tadähu Tam Tassa Nichchhayam Jzänam
While contemplating about any subject, when one gets absorbed and becomes desireless, that is called absolute meditation.
Mä Chitthah Mä Jampah, Mä Chintah Kimvi Jen Hoi Thiro Appä Appami Rao, Inamev Param Have Jzänam
If you want to remain steady, do not undertake physical activity, do not speak, and do not think; the topmost meditation arises, when soul stays within the Self.
His chanting continued for half an hour with utmost concentration. Then restraining his mental, verbal and physical faculties he remained absorbed in quiet meditation for half an hour. We experienced unprecedented tranquility to witness that state of his detachment, stability and Selfabsorption. It has been imprinted inside and will never be lost.
After completing the meditation, he simply said 'Think over.' and left. We thought that he might have gone for urination, but he went away disinterestedly. We looked around, but could not see him anywhere. With despair we returned to Upäshray. After we finished meals etc. Thäkarshi came to us. We asked him about the letter to be written to Devkaranji. He replied that the letter has been written, but not mailed.
By that evening Devkaranji also arrived. Shrimad then directed us to go with Thäkarshi to the temples upon the hill. Accordingly we sent for the keys to open Shwetambar and Digambar temples. That was the first time that he directed us to bow to the idols of omniscient Lords. The supreme mode, which arose while bowing to the idols on the hill as per his directive, is beyond words. Thäkarshi showed us the places on the hill, where Shrimad had moved. We considered those places as sacred, and then returned to Upäshray with wholesome reflection.
The third day
On the third day we were asked to come to the same mango tree and accordingly we went there. It was winter and Devkaranji's frail body was shivering. Thereupon Laxmichandji put a cloth over it. On seeing that Shrimad said, "Are you feeling cold? Do you want to remove it?" So saying he started walking and all of us followed him. Remaining tuned to soul, he was moving fast through thorns and pebbles, spider webs and sharp stones without caring for the body and we were following his footsteps. As we came to a slab of stone, Shrimad sat upon it keeping his face towards the East and we sat in front of him.