He was a burden he said. "There is no need for me in the Sanstha. I can no longer serve. So stop the dialysis." Pramukh Swami Maharaj was moved. The frail figure before him had given his whole and soul, and now this request.
In 1980, during Swamishri's world tour commemorating the bicentenary celebrations of Lord Swaminarayan, a major assembly was organised in Kenyatta Conference Hall, in Nairobi. To prepare for the evening assembly two sadhus, Narayanmuni Swami and another had left early, skipping the evening meal. The next day was ekadashi; a waterless fast was to be observed.
The function was a huge success. The jam packed hall was filled with Indians who had settled in Kenya. Many new people were pulled to Swamishri. His simpleness of life and purity of character were self evident. As scores of new members received vartman and kanthi at the end of the assembly, Swamishri was organising a car to take Narayanmuni Swami and his companion sadhu back to the temple. Swamishri knew they would be hungry. He had even had the evening meal put away safely. It would not do to have the two sadhus return to the temple to find nothing left to eat!
Chaturbhuj Swami had been initiated by Shastriji Maharaj. He had served Atladra temple and Akshar Purushottam Maharaj faithfully for over forty years. Such was his attachment he could not tolerate even a solitary paise of the temple being wasted. Only old age had lessened his services. So when both kidneys failed and he had to undergo regular dialysis in a Baroda hospital, Chaturbhuj Swami was troubled. The body was old, and he felt of no use to the Sanstha.
He was a burden he said. "There is no need for me in the Sanstha. I can no longer serve. So stop the dialysis." Pramukh Swami Maharaj was moved. The frail figure before him had given his whole and soul, and now this request. Swamishri answered quietly, "Continue the dialysis. I will tour two more villages if need be." Swamishri was referring to his own touring. Despite an already over burdened schedule he was prepared to shoulder more villages and ask devotees for money to pay for Chaturbhuj Swami's medical expenses. Swamishri instructed doctors and other sadhus to spare no effort in making the ill sadhu comfortable and well. Dialysis continued for a year, after which Chaturbhuj Swami peacefully passed away in a Bombay hospital.
Even in his own ill health Swamishri has repeatedly shown greater concern for the health of others. When struck by a heart attack in 1983, Swamishri was rushed to Dr. B.R. Patel's hospital in Baroda. Dr. Swami and Mahant Swami cancelled their touring and also rushed to Baroda to ensure Swamishri received the best treatment. When Mahant Swami first saw Swamishri he was hooked up to life support systems. In this state Swamishri beckoned an attendant near and whispered, "Make sure you cook mag for Mahant Swami". Mahant Swami's own digestive troubles have led him to eat only light foods for a number of years.
During the Uttarakhand yatra of 1987 the sangh was bathing in a tiny corner at Rishikesh a mile or so up river from Lakshman Jula - the narrow suspended foot bridge that takes pilgrims to Rishikesh town proper. Swamishri was waist deep in the Ganges water. Sadhus surrounded him. Others sat on rock outcroppings engrossed in darshan as Swamishri bathed Harikrishna Maharaj.
In keeping with tradition, Swamishri began chanting the Swaminarayan mahamantra stopping only to say a particular prayer. "Swaminarayan, Swaminarayan...Let Akshardham be finished quickly and may it be supreme...may the lives of devotees find happiness in body, mind and wealth..." The entire sangh joined in this ancient practice. Surely God would grant their prayers at such a sacred place and in the presence of such a holy saint!
Mahant Swami in his low voice stopped the chanting and added a prayer, "Let Swamishri's health remain good..." Before he could add to it to it Swamishri cried out, "Not only mine, Mahant Swami's, Dr. Swami's, Ishwar Swami's, Viveksagar Swami's, let everyone's health remain good."
Swamishri sees the sadhus not just as his own but also as Yogiji Maharaj's. Despite being their spiritual master he regards them highly as spiritual souls on their journey to God realisation. That he himself has inspired them to renounce is of no significance. He says referring to Yogiji Maharaj's promise of 700 sadhus, "Only due to Yogiji Maharaj's desire do they become sadhus."
Speaking to sadhus in Sarangpur Swamishri was overcome with emotion, "You have taken these robes for Yogiji Maharaj, I want to please you, and for your good, if need be, I will do anything and not care for my body or health."
It is not surprising that these sadhus have sacrificed their all at his feet. As he wishes they live. These sadhus, inspired into God centred activity give their utmost and then a little more, to please him. He has kindled a devotion within them that today guides the Sanstha's multifarious activities.
Swamishri is quick to recognise their contribution and negate his own.
As a thank you, a special ceremony had been organised in Premabhai Hall, Amdavad, after the gigantic Lord Swaminarayan Bicentenary Celebrations. Leading coordinator devotees were given mementos. Blessing the attendees Swamishri acknowledged, "The sadhus have served in the festival as well, but what memento can we give them? My bowing to them a million million times would not suffice. They were the backbone...I merely toured the site by car, made use of a chair."
* * *
In the youth hostel run by the Sanstha in Vidyanagar, Swamishri had just finished lunch. Students had been doing darshan. As a conversation started the youths said that Swamishri should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "What are your feelings on this?" Suresh asked.
"These sadhus are my Nobel. What more can I ask for?" Swamishri replied, looking around at the sadhus sitting in an arch around him.