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KOTURNAR
34. A Pious Soul
Luthabhai, very early in his life, scaled great spiritual height thanks to his relationship with Shrimad. The initial contact soon developed into an enduring bond. Shrimad first came to know Juthabhai in Vikram Samvat 1944, when Shrimad was in Ahmedabad for the publication of Mokshamala. As the relationship grew, Juthabhai found Shrimad to be extremely knowledgeable and an ardent spiritual soul. Whenever Shrimad happened to be in Ahmedabad, he stayed at Juthabhai's house. Even in Morvi and Bharuch they stayed together. The period of intimacy was marked by exchange of letters and Shrimad used the epithet 'satyaparayan' (believer in truth) for him because he was so pure at heart and because he had in him some great qualities. Unfortunately, Juthabhai's family members did not approve of his association with Shrimad. This made Juthabhai unhappy. At that time Shrimad counselled him not to be sad, telling him to ignore what the others said and pursue his goal of Self Realisation.
An ardent devotee of Shrimad, Juthabhai had two years of time, from Vikram Samvat 1944 to Vikram Samvat 1946 to be spent for his spiritual upliftment. During this brief period, Shrimad reciprocrated his feelings for him through personal meetings and thus blessed him. Born in Vikram Samvat 1923, Juthalalbhai had studied upto Std IV, and his meeting with Shrimad turned him into a spiritual seeker. Shrimad had written, to his true follower, about 20 letters. He lived till the age of 23. The last two years of his short life were marked by ill-health. At that time, Shrimad, through letters led him to the path of strengthening the inner life. Juthabhai's chief quality was his equanimity and had hardly any karma to bind his soul. He was a truly pious soul.
Juthalalbhai found separation from Shrimad unbearable and longed for his company. This affected his health. Shrimad often consoled him and asked him to be patient. Shrimad in a note two months prior to Juthabhai's death, which he knew by prescience, wrote: “If my power of prescience has not diminished, then Juthabhai will leave the mortal coil and attain samadhi on the night of Thursday, the ninth day of sud Ashadh."
Thus Shrimad forewarned him about his impending death but advised him not to swerve from the chosen path. As forefold, Juthabhai passed away, not on the night of the ninth day of Ashadh sud but during the day. Shrimad, paying a glorious tribute to him, said, "It is not surprising that such pious souls should have a short life. Juthabhai was one who had the inner life illuminated by equaminity which led him to the path of moksha!"
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