SWAMIJI
Memories
Mona Mulchand
Swamiji has been and is the biggest treasure of my life.
I remember him comparing the river with family relationships. He used to tell us that if you held a stick in the river, you would see the separate flows of water. However, once the stick is taken out, the river flows like it never had the diversion. The stick actually means the separation between families due to ill feelings and rifts. With time this is all forgotten, as if nothing ever happened.
I remember him so much. We are blessed to have been with him. I feel so fortunate and blessed.
Usha Sabnani
Swamiji lit my life. He personified the spiritual code in all its essence and gave me hope of its existence.
Vimla Dalamal
I had gone to Hardwar about 35 years ago as I had heard about Guruji from family members. Being young and already on a Spiritual path, I was searching still for answers and also how to live with the responsibilities and challenges of life.
So we reached Guruji and he was on Moun Vrit (Silence Fast). Yet being in the presence of such a Being, one already feels a calmness.
Then he wrote a message on paper and showed me. The few words he wrote have always been in my mind.
"Flow like the river. Everything changes."
The words did not address any particular concerns and yet they were the answer to all.
I don't get stuck in anything, I know that by motion I bring about change. Anytime anything was hard, I kept going.
Going to an evolved being like Guruji armed me with knowledge to live life.
It was a great opportunity to meet him.
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Aruni Mehta
It was just a few weeks ago that I found an old letter that our Pujya Swamiji had written to me. This letter was dated 1977, just before my first public exam.
In theory, it was advise on how I should approach my studies, but this advice can be extrapolated to everyday life.
Lesson 1 - Niyam
Be disciplined and follow a routine.
His exact advice was around waking up, showering , eating almonds soaked the night before and to meditate before I start studying.
My experience is that having a structure and routine it is fundamental to ones well being. Of course one has to change and adapt with life, but build the change into your routine.
Lesson 2 - No Aalas
Laziness does not pay - his constant reminder of “Kaal karo so aaj karo , aaj karo so abb” . Don't put off what you can achieve today.
Life passes by in just a blink, and you never know when that is. So, live it in the moment and do everything you possibly can in the moment.
Of course the converse to this is patience - so focus on what “you can do” as soon as you can - leave the rest to the universe.
Lesson 3 - Vyavhaar
Attitude and Caring
From academic stand point, he suggested I do my best. My aim should be to do my the best. Not to compare and not to trip up others. To be giving, help those who ask for your help. If I had the right approach he said, success is inevitable.
He always spoke to us about Shabri's story in the Ramayana. Shabri tasted every berry before she offered it to Lord Rama - many would consider this unsacred but the intention and the caring is what mattered.
He taught me not to judge people, to accept them for who they are and to love and be kind and accepting.
This particular lesson has been very hard to follow, especially as I chased my career in my corporate life. But this is probably the most important one.
His lessons were simple and based on spiritual guidance. His exposure to the wider world was seemingly limited. But his depth of knowledge on any subject was always profound.
He was an enigma, and we are truly blessed to have been guided by him.
Deeni Jethwani
My first memory of Swamiji dates back to when I was four years old. I was seated on his lap in the front seat of a car. We were driving around Hardwar during the Kumbh Mela (mass Hindu pilgrimage which comes every 12 years). Inching through the pot holed, meandering, streets he was pointing out groups of sadhus & temples.
For me, Swamiji shaped my entire life. From childhood to becoming a teenager, I always looked towards him for guidance. On numerous occasions I witnessed miricales; he had shown me his powers but he had always done this in the most humble and subtle ways. He never wanted to take credit or show anyone the extent of his spiritual capabilities.
Swamiji once told me about the eight steps to enlightenment and I would like to share the first one:
Santsang: One should come into contact with as many saints and spiritually uplifting beings as possible. Staying in their positive energy fields is always beneficial. The company we keep has a huge influence on our lives.
On my last visit to see him, my mum and I asked him if there was anything we could do for him. He broke his vow of silence and we heard his voice after years. He said, “Help yourselves. Khoob bhajan Karo." (Pray as much as possible).
His teachings centered around mindfulness; this makes us aware of our daily actions, which, in turn, affects our karma. Meditation and mindfulness leads to a profound understanding of nature as it is. Through meditation one can acquire wisdom, which is self luminous. He was that luminous, perfect soul who radiated pure love and compassion. A truly enlightened being, a living Buddha for whom words cannot express my eternal gratitude.