Pinnacle Of Spirituality

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

Page 60

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22. The Way to Renunciation
Thrimad had become a household name in Mumbai because his performances were often reported in newspapers and magazines. Many of the rich and the famous wanted to meet him. One of them was the Parsi (Zoroastrian) Tata, an eminent industrialist, who invited him to his luxurious mansion, filled with precious objects and artifacts. Many, who had seen his mansion, were overawed by what they saw, and Tata had expected the same response from Shrimad. Shrimad, however, was not at all interested in worldly objects.
After seeing the mansion, he asked of the childless Tata: "Who will enjoy all this?"
Very often, the words of great souls have the power to change the hearts of men and women. Their wisdom and the subtle insights often lead to profound transformations, which often have a large impact on the world at large. Shrimad's words had a profound impact on Tata, who until then was very proud of his possessions. He bequeathed all his wealth to a trust whose purpose was to care for the Parsi community.
Shrimad had been interested in astrology from an early age. Shankar Pancholi, a learned astrologer of Jetpur town in Saurashtra, had forecast that Shrimad would go to Mumbai and that within a particular period of time he would earn a substantial amount of money. Shrimad did go to Mumbai but he did not earn the money in the time predicted. This incident led him to the study of astrology. After a detailed study, he demonstrated to Shankar Pancholi a particular aspect of the subject, called nashta vidya, with which one can deduce from any horospcope, its year, date, month, day and so on. Shankar Pancholi, impressed by Shrimad's understanding of astrology, asked him to teach him this skill. Shrimad could also forecast the future by reading people's palms and faces.
Shrimad could often foresee the impending misfortunes of others, and he would warn them. On one occasion, he was out for a stroll with Virjibhai Desai of Vavania. Shrimad asked: "Uncle, if something happens to my aunt [Virjibhai's wife], will you remarry?"
Virjibhai did not answer but gave him a strange look. However, six months after this conversation, his wife passed away.