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48. Adoration of a Disciple
M unishri Lalluji revered Shrimad. He felt that Shrimad had been his father in a previous life and wanted to be with Shrimad as much as possible. He wanted to spend every monsoon season (chaturmas) in the same place where Shrimad would be. In Vikram Samvat 1948 Munishri Lalluji spent four months in Mumbai where Shrimad was. However, in Vikram Samvat 1950 and 1951, he spent these four months in Surat.
Munishri's heart was filled with devotion for Shrimad. His letters to Shrimad were extremely courteous and expressed his deep adoration for Shrimad. He would sign his letters 'Your servant Lallu. Shrimad was also equally courteous and once wrote to Munishri : "However much reverence you may have for us, we will, for all times be at the service of all living things, particularly those aspiring to be liberated"
While Munishri had a great regard for him, Shrimad insisted that the monk follow every detail of the code of conduct that is prescribed for monks. It was Shrimad's insistence that helped keep Munishri within these strict limits.
In Vikram Samvat 1952 Shrimad was staying at a retreat in Ralaj during the holy days of Paryushan. At that time Munishri Lalluji and Munishri Devkaranji were spending the Chaturmas season in nearby Khambhat. Shri Sobhagbhai and Shri Dungarshibhai had come specially to be with Shrimad, as had many other devotees from Khambhat. They had all come to benefit from Shrimad's holy presence, his guidance and to get his blessings.
During the monsoon season, monks are not allowed to move from one town to another. So, although Munishri Lalluji was just in the neighbourhood of Ralaj, he was unable to visit Shrimad. Thirsting for an audience with Shrimad, he walked to the outskirts of Ralaj and called for Ambalalbhai. Ambalalbhai asked Munishri why he had come without prior permission. Munishri offered to return, but Ambalalbhai, worried that Shrimad might reprimand him for sending Munishri away, asked him to wait whilst he went to see Shrimad.
Shrimad heard what Ambalalbhai had to say and then said, "If there is unhappiness in the mind of Munishri, I shall go and meet him there, otherwise he should return."
Munishri understood the message and returned weeping to his camp. He spent the whole night deeply pained at not having been able to see Shrimad.
