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Photo Story
At the Birthplace of Guru Shastriji Maharaj
 
 
 
 
 

19 December 2009, Mahelav

Perhaps this evening’s 26 minutes summarize Swamishri’s life and love; a life of determined devotion and profound love for his guru, Shastriji Maharaj. The following is a minute-by-minute account of what happened on his arrival in Mahelav, the birthplace of Shastriji Maharaj. It may just help us to re-evaluate ourselves in the way we love our guru.

6.55p.m.: Nothing unusual, except…
The day had darkened quickly. There was nothing unusual about this winter evening, except that what followed was unplanned, unscheduled and totally unpredicted. Earlier, it had been discussed and decided that Swamishri would proceed straight to the main mandir on his arrival in Mehalav, and visit the birthplace of Shastriji Maharaj a day later. The reason for this was that it would be past sunset on Swami’s arrival, and the village roads were under repairs. So, it would be impossible for his car to go ahead.
However, when Swamishri’s car reached the outskirts of Mahelav, what unfolded was totally unexpected. Hundreds of devotees were waiting at the main Mandir gate to honor and welcome Swamishri; but Swamishri wanted to honor his guru. He expressed his desire to visit Shastriji Maharaj’s birthplace, which was in the heart of the village. Under the adverse circumstances the car could not be driven all the way there. And, on the other hand, Swamishri, at almost 90 years of age, was physically unable to walk all the way.

7.00 p.m.: A tortuous trail…
What occurred subsequently was holy chaos. The car had to be stopped at the village square. The narrow lanes were dark, dug and uneven. A wave of devotees were running ahead in devotional excitement; bumping, nudging and overtaking each other. News spread like wildfire. Curious villagers crowded the alleys, doors and windows. Swamishri’s wheelchair was readied. But the path ahead was uneven, broken and multi-leveled. The attendant sadhus looked confused and hesitant. Of course, they were more than happy to carry the wheelchair, but it would be both bumpy and risky, and the path was tortuous and dark. Yet Swamishri’s determination to reach his guru’s birthplace was the only light that lit the path.

  
 
 
     
   
 
7.02 p.m.: Undivided attention
In this situation, what looked hectic was holy; what appeared restless was peaceful. On reaching Shastriji Maharaj’s birthplace, everyone else became busy in making other arrangements. Swamishri alone stood with folded hands before the sinhasan, lost in prayer, undisturbed and untouched by the chaos around him; remaining absorbed in his guru’s murti before him.
 
         
             
 
 
 
7.05 p.m.: Devotional joy takes control    
Next, Swamishri bent down to touch the feet of his guru’s murti and stood in prayer for three minutes. His face was suffused with emotions. And when the local pujari routinely extended his hand to offer prasad of sweets to Shastriji Maharaj, Swamishri gently took the dish in his own frail, shaking hands and held it before the guru with devotional joy. Perhaps he was reliving the old times when, 65 years ago, as his sevak he often served food to Shastriji Maharaj. No one could miss noticing the glow of deep satisfaction on Swamishri’s face.
  
       
             
 
 
         
             
 
 
 
7.09 p.m.: Reliving memories
The old photographs on the lintel came to life as Swamishri started recalling the names of the people and the events. All those present were transported back in time to an era in which Swamishri has never left behind or forgotten. Swamishri is the living link to our Sanstha’s historic past, present and future.
  
       
             
 
 
 
7.10 p.m.: Another surprise!
Just when everyone was preparing to return, Swamishri sprung another surprise. He voiced his wish to pay homage to the ‘Mahabharat Choro’, the old village square where Shastriji Maharaj had recited the Mahabharat as a child. No one was eager, nor enthusiastic about the idea, as it was very dark and the path was unsuitable. Once again, the only light that lit the way was Swamishri’s inextinguishable flame of Guru Bhakti.
  
 
 
     
   
 
 
 

7.12 p.m.: The arti of 1876?
A crowd of over 500 had converged at the Choro (village platform). Everyone stood offering their respects, while Swamishri offered prayers and performed pradakshinas at the memorial shrine. On seeing some children carrying a lamp, Swamishri called them to the front. He had Thakorji placed on the memorial shrine and began to sing the arti. It was a maha-arti with only one lamp! The chorus of arti resonated into the dark night. Every heart and soul was saturated with devotion. At this very spot, way back in 1876, 11-year-old Dungar Bhakta (Shastriji Maharaj) delivered spellbinding discourses on the Mahabharat before hundreds of villagers who listened to him with rapt attention and joy. And perhaps at the time, the evening arti may have been performed by his friends of the same age as the children performing the arti in this picture?

 
       
             
 
 
 
 
     
   
 

7.26 p.m.: Footprints of light
Then everyone waited for Swamishri’s car. But Swamishri was in no hurry to leave. Messages were sent one after another for the car but there was no sign or it. Remember, the roads were dug and being repaired, dark and hardly lit. Eventually Swamishri was carefully carried in his wheelchair to the main mandir. While everyone was euphoric to honor and welcome Swamishri, he had preferred to first honor and pay respects to his guru, Shastriji Maharaj.

  
         
             
 
 
 

Imagine, despite Swamishri’s advanced age, having suffered a heart attack and gone through a bypass surgery, and being unable to walk for long, he was determined to offer his devotion to his guru. This incident of Swamishri’s guru-bhakti has left eternal footprints of adoration and inspiration for us to follow.

  
 
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