Pinnacle Of Spirituality

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

Page 86

35. Thirsting for Answers
Shri Ambalalbhai of Khambat was to become one of Shrimad's closest disciples. As we saw, he first heard of Shrimad from Shri Juthabhai in Ahmedabad in VS 1945 and consequently he met Shrimad in Mumbai. He was so overwhelmed with Shrimad that he wanted to meet him again and again. He offen wrote to him asking him to visit Khambhat. Fortunately, Shrimad wrote that he would visit Khambhat and the joy of Ambalalbhai and his companions knew no bounds.
Ambalalbhai and his companions regularly went to the Jain Hall (upashray), where monks would often stay. However, after hearing about Shrimad, instead of attending the monk's sermon, they would sit in a quiet corner to read and contemplate copies of Shrimad's letters. Once Acharya Shri Harakhchand Maharaj, the head monk, was giving a sermon on the first floor of the building while Ambalalbhai and others were discussing Shrimad's letters. One of the monks, Munishri Lalluji, became curious when he saw them sitting in a corner. He asked Ambalalbhai why they were not upstairs.
Ambalalbhai spoke to him about Shrimad, mentioning his personality and his knowledge of the Agamas, Jain Scriptures. He also spoke of Shrimad's spiritual insight and his ability to resolve any doubts. Munishri Lalluji became very eager to meet Shrimad as he had some long-held doubts which no one as yet had been able to resolve for him. He thus asked Ambalalbhai whether he could arrange for him to meet Shrimad. Ambalalbhai agreed.
Munishri Lalluji practised both inner and outer penance and was revered for his piety. Born to Kaslibai in Vikram Samvat 1910, in the village of Vataman in Saurashtra, he studied in the village school but soon gave it up to look after the family shop.
Devkaran Bhavsar used to accompany Munishri Lalluji to the Jain Hall and perform samayika (48 minutes of equanimity and self study) everyday. He too later took vows of monkhood and became Munishri Lalluji's disciple. Munishri Lalluji was a man of simplicity and full of devotion.
In VS 1946, Shrimad visited Khambhat and stayed with Amabalalbhai. Ambalalbhai and his father Lalchandbhai took Shrimad to the Jain Hall where they met the spiritual head Acharya Shri Harakhchandji Maharaj and his disciple Munishri Lalluji. Shrimad first resolved Munishri's long-held doubts to the latter's satisfaction. From their very meeting Munishri Lalluji felt a great devotional attraction towards Shrimad realizing that he was for sure an exceptional person.
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