________________
57. Boundless Compassion
okershibhai Mehta, Shrimad's brother-in-law, had caught plague and had developed a tumour causing him unbearable pain. To complicate matters further, he had also become delirious. He constantly spoke nonsense and had to be restrained so that he would not sneak away from his bed. When Shrimad came to visit, he was advised to keep his distance. Instead of doing so, he sat down next to Tokershibhai, who became composed in a few minutes. Shrimad affectionately asked about his health and listened to his complaints about the excruciating pain caused by the tumour. Shrimad stayed there for half an hour and during that time Tokershibhai had calmed down completely. Later in the day Tokershibhai again became unrestrainable and someone ran to Shrimad's shop to fetch him. Shrimad sent him back with the words: "Whatever will be, will be."
Shrimad went there later in the evening. Tokershibhai again calmed down in Shrimad's presence. In response to Shrimad's enquiry he said he was feeling better and that the pain from the tumour had subsided. He then quoted a verse from a scripture. Shrimad asked him where had he heard it before and he replied “In the forest of Idar." They sat for a little while and then Shrimad asked him again how he felt and he replied: "I feel only bliss - I have never experienced such a feeling before." A few minutes later Shrimad informed those assembled that he had passed away.
Padmashibhai asked Shrimad what was the amazing change that took place in Tokershibhai's condition, he replied: "The soul is said to depart from the body when the breath stops. The destination for the soul is determined by the tendency of the karmas at the instant of its leaving the body. This tendency can be altered by psychic powers." Shrimad's presence had helped alter the destination of Tokershibhai's soul.
Shrimad's servant in Mumbai, Lallu, fell ill and was diagnosed with a tumour. Shrimad nursed him personally. His friends and relatives wondered why he personally bothered so much for a mere servant. Lallu, a soul like any other, had served Shrimad faithfully for many years. Shrimad, sensitive to the pain of even the smallest of living organisms, took Lallu's head in his lap and stayed with him until the end.
He passed away at peace with himself, and on his way to a better place, due to the wonderful, calming presence of a saint such as Shrimad.
OOO
