Santbal A Saint with a Difference

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

Page 41

had hearty talk during the course of which Amritlal inquired as to what lead him to shun worldly affairs to take Diksha? He thought that some unhappy incident in life must have driven Shivlal to this course. But Shivlal responded by saying that he was quite happy and had successfully discharged all his worldly duties. But Amritlal was more anxious to know the reason for his unexpected visit, and hence when faced with a direct question about the purpose of his visit, Shivlal pointed to the mark of injury which was still left on the skull of Amritlal and asked for his forgiveness for the injury caused to him. Amritlal had a hearty laugh and asked him whether their friendly affection was not found sufficient for forgiveness to be sought? Both the friends enjoyed the incident which had not much significance but for the fact that it fully reveals the nobility and softness of heart which subsequently drew Shivlal to the service of the poor and oppressed in his role as "Santbal”.
Shivlal also took the permission of Rajasthani Munishri Saubhagyamalji to take Diksha under Munishri Nanchandraji.
All this was reported to Shri Nanchandraji who thereafter fixed the date and time for Diksha.
Thus came to the end of a worldly life which was full of promises of material happiness. The future was to unfold the story of spiritual and social advantages hitherto unknown to Jain Saintly order.
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