Santbal A Saint with a Difference

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

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flames and passed through them without being hurt. It was a "Holi day" when it is customary to have big bonfires at various places to worship Goddess "Holi". The ladies venutred to pass through this fire with their children and bare-footed under the strong conviction that fire could not burn them. The priest who was chanting Mantras also tried to perform the same feat, but could not. Gurudev Nanchandraji explained the whole incident by saying that this was the actual demonstration of what power our soul had; undiluted and honest faith increases the power of soul to any extent. He said, therefore, it is rightly said "Shraddha mayo ayam Purusha" (5) meaning "this Atman is
undiluted faith".
Stay at Ahmedabad, Ghatkopar and Chinchpokali:
During their stay at Ahmedabad they stayed at Kochrab in 1934 A. D. (Samvat 1990) where they came in close touch with big persons like Ravishanker Maharaj, Kavi Shri Nanalal, Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah whom Santbal taught how to perform Avadhans and Jain Scholar Jay Bhikhu. During this stay, GHATKOPAR Jains visited Ahmedabad to invite Gurudev Nanchandraji to have next Chaturmas of 1935 at Ghatkopar. It was agreed and so the party started for Bombay. When they reached Navsari, the Jains of Dharampur State came to know that Gurudev Nanchandraji with his party was passing by to go to Bombay. The Prince of Dharampur was fond of music. He heard about the poetic qualities and sweet voice of Gurudev and asked Jain leaders of his State to invite Gurudev and his party to visit Dharampur. As Dharampur is not on the way to Bombay, Gurudev was hesitant to accept the invitation, but had to accede to the earnest entreaties of the delegation, and the party passed seventeen days at Dharampur during which the Prince became very friendly. He daily attended the sermons and was skilfully persuaded by Gurudev to avoid hunting of innocent animals. From Dharampur the party reached Ghatkopar in time. Passed the
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