Santbal A Saint with a Difference

Author(s): T U Mehta
Publisher: Navjivan Prakashan Mandir

Page 27

CHAPTER 1
Place of Birth and Childhood*
If you have a look at the map of India you will find on her western coast a “U”-shaped peninsula whose shores are washed by the blue waters of Arabian ocean. This peninsula has served as the western gate of India through which India has remained in constant touch with the merchants of Arabia and the Middle East as well the countries of Eastern Africa.
As early as thousands of years ago Lord Krishna migrated with his men from U. P. and settled in this peninsula establishing the City called Dwarika. Dwarika means an entrance door. It is said that the original City established by Lord Krishna is now under the sea as the modern Dwarika is found at the apex of north-west point of peninsula. Years thereafter, another spiritual leader, Lord Swami Narayan also migrated from U. P. and settled over here.
This peninsula is known as Saurashtra meaning a "goods land”. The land is famous for its historisity and holy places situated in Mount Girnar and Mount Shetrunjay. The latter is the holy place of pilgrimage for Jains. On the south-western part of
* All the factual data referred to in the chapters 1 & 2 is taken from Volume
of Santhalni Jivan Sadhana written in Gujarati by Shri Dulerai Matalia, as it is the only authoritative material available on the early life of Santbal.