Pinnacle Of Spirituality

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

Page 40

12. Detachment
hrimad's childhood was very happy, with his grandfather showering him with affection. An important feature of India's culture, and that of many civilizations, is that a child's grandparents play a very significant role in its early life : providing warmth, love, and also inculcating values. It was entirely the result of his grandfather that Shrimad was devoted to Lord Krishna.
Panchanbhai, Shrimad's grandfather was born in Vikram Samvat ("VS") 1836. His father, Damji Pitambar, lived in Manekwada, a village about 10 miles from Morvi in Saurashtra. He was from the Dasa Shrimali business caste and his family was traditionally Sthanakwasi Jain.
Panchanbhai the third of five sons, received a very small portion of his father's estate and left to settle in Vavania in VS 1892 to start on his own business - shipping and money-lending. Panchanbhai, who lived a life of total devotion to Lord Krishna, passed away at the age of ninety-eight, in VS 1934, when his grandson Shrimad was ten-years old.
Shrimad led his grandfather's funeral procession, carrying the burning coals which would be used to light the funeral pyre. The loss of his dear grandfather provoked some fundamental questions.
Shrimad wondered about the nature of life, death, and the mysteries of the Soul. When the minds of great souls ponder the eternal verities of life, they become impervious to much of the world around, even to physical hardships.
As the cortege continued on its way to the cremation ground, Shrimad was engrossed in these fundamental questions. He stepped on a large thorn, which painfully pierced his foot. He paid little attention to it, and continued to walk as if nothing had happened. Neither complaining nor asking anyone to remove it, he patiently took part in the funeral ceremony.
It was only when Shrimad's mother saw him limping home, and asked, that anyone realised what had happened. She wondered why he had not asked anyone for assistance, as she removed the thorn. The child, lost in thought, and with such strong will-power, had not been distracted enough by the thorn to have it removed.