________________
YTINIMO OKONTROL
21. In Quest of Soul-Absolute
hrimad possessed a wide range of abilities. He was skilled in poetry, possessed a phenomenal memory and had the faculty to attend to a hundred activities simultaneously. In addition, he had a remarkable sense of perception by touch: Blindfolded, he could tell the names of books by merely touching them or he could tell which items of food had too little or too much salt, again without having to taste them at all.
From childhood, Shrimad had been full of devotion for matters spiritual and full of detachment with regard to worldly concerns. Despite the large audiences he attracted and the fame and glory he had achieved, he remained calm, solemn and detached, introspective at all times. Chief Justice Sir Charles Sargeant once suggested that he should perform in England where his talents would be truly appreciated.
The suggestion of the Chief Justice made Shrimad think. He would certainly earn much fame and respect abroad, but is that what he truly wanted? After all, his main goal in life was a spiritual one and these performances would distract him from his primary purpose. He decided not to follow Sir Charles' suggestion, and also stopped all his public performances.
Amongst the audience at Shrimad's performance in Mumbai, were many astrologers. They were intrigued by his display of mental faculties and his extraordinary sense of perception. Ten learned astrologers examined his horoscope and concluded that its configuration was that of a truly divine being! Shrimad learnt the complex art of astrology from them in a very short time. While he had not studied languages like Sanskrit and Maghadhi before, he was able to understand works written in these languages, as he had known them in previous lives. He read Bhadrabahusamhita written by Bhadrabahuswami, a unique work on astrology.
His fame as an astrologer spread far and wide and he was approached by many people anxious to know what their stars foretold. Shrimad had noble and other-worldly intentions, but those who came to him were entirely materialistic.
Shrimad realised that the practice of predicting the future was an impediment to spiritual growth and so he gave it up. He began to advise those who approached him to bear the fruits of their karma with equanimity.
As a snake sheds its coil, Shrimad discarded all those activities, even if they brought him fame and glory, which stood in the way of his spiritual quest.
CUOVOVETOLYMYOTAVOLASCICY
