Pinnacle Of Spirituality

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Raj Saubhag Satsang Mandal

Page 32

8. Shrimad at School
I hen we wake up, we very vividly remember the previous night and we can recall the events of the previous day. It is the same with past lives. As the veil is removed, the events of past lives are relived as though they happened only yesterday.
When aged only seven, in VS 1931, Shrimad clearly saw his previous lives and also recollected some of the knowledge accumulated in the previous lives. He did not, however, reveal this to anyone.
His father Ravjibhai took him to the village school at seven, and the first part of his formal education began. As always, worldly processes continue according to their own rhyme and reason, without regard to the world of the Spirit.
While a child may not fear its parents, it would fear the schoolteacher. The motto of the day was : "Spare the rod and spoil the child."
Shrimad's father Ravjibhai came and met the headmaster of the school and explained : "Sir, I am very fond of my son. I love him very much. Please, teach him
well."
The father was aware of the kind of discipline enforced in these schools. Tactfully he said : "Sir, do not beat or scold him." Having made his request, Ravjibhai returned home.
It is impossible for a diamond not to sparkle! When the headmaster saw young Shrimad, he was pleasantly surprised. Most children would tremble before the headmaster or would be very shy, but not Shrimad. His face showed neither fear nor anxiety, but rather serenity.
Some personalities are such that their mere presence have a calming influence on the thoughts of those around. The headmaster felt a great sense of affection towards this young boy.
He summoned the class-teacher Lavjibhai and told him : "Take care of this boy and teach him with love. Neither beat him nor scold him." Lavjibhai, assuming that the boy must be a relative of the headmaster for otherwise he would not expect such a special treatment, took Shrimad to the classroom and so began his first class in the school.