Pinnacle Of Spirituality

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

Page 80

32. A Unique Bond
Sobhagbhai, realising Shrimad's spiritual greatness bowed down three times in
front of him in reverence and devotion.
Shrimad found in Sobhagbhai an extraordinary companion, a saintly soul, one whose company he had long sought. It was as if two souls, long separated, had again been reunited. Sobhagbhai was inexplicably drawn to Shrimad as his Guru and Shrimad had an indescribable experience at the sight of Sobhagbhai. Shrimad immediately recalled the advanced state of spiritual development he had attained in previous lives, and he remembered the progress he had made in realising the self. He had now found the link that had been missing from his efforts. Thus, as a result of the meeting with Sobhagbhai, Shrimad's spiritual growth gained considerable momentum.
Shrimad and Sobhagbhai grew ever closed. Their relationship was not only one found between Guru and disciple, but also one of Soul-mates. At the top of Shrimad's first letter to Sobhagbhai, he quoted the famous verse of Shankaracharya (a great Hindu Saint)
"क्षणमपि सज्जनसंगतिरेका भवति भवार्णवतरणे नौका ।"
"Even a momentary meeting with a saintly (self-realised) soul could, become a boat to cross the ocean of worldly existence."
Shrimad compared Sobhagbhai to such a person and then writes: "You have expressed happiness in my presence and unhappiness at my absence, and I also feel the same way about your presence." Despite the age gap of forty-four years there was a very strong bond between them.
Thereafter Shrimad wrote to Sobhagbhai about his inability to help others in their spiritual growth due to his worldly responsibilities, even though that was the primary goal of his life.
After his first meeting with Sobhagbhai, Shrimad's spiritual development increased dramatically. Shrimad opened his heart to his Soul-mate Shri Sobhagbhai of Sayla and his letters outline for us many of the trails and tribulations of living a spiritual life in the midst of worldly responsibilities.