Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Devotion to Thakorji
On the morning of 2 September 1980, the auspicious day of Janmashtami, Pramukh Swami Maharaj arrived in Boston by road from New York. After a medical examination for his ripe cataracts, Swamishri departed to return to New York. To ease the fatigue from the 8-hour two-way commute, Swamishri accepted the sadhus’ request to sleep on the rear seat of the van. Thakorji (the murti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj) was also placed to rest on the upper berth of the van. The sun had set. Then, while the van was travelling smoothly on the broad highway, a sudden loud thud of something falling down was heard amid the darkness. Along with the others, Swamishri suddenly sat up, asking, “What happened? What fell down?” One saint replied, “Thakorji fell down from above.” The statement was like a jolt to Swamishri. Concerned and shaken, Swamishri said, “Quickly, check whether Thakorji has fallen out.” The interior light was switched on. On inspection, the sadhus noticed that the murti of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj had turned on to the side. Seeing this, Swamishri became quite perturbed. Tearfully, he continually stroked his hand all over the body of Maharaj while repeatedly saying, “Maharaj, please forgive. Maharaj, please forgive.” It was as if Swamishri felt responsible for the fall and that Thakorji had been injured. Remorsefully, Swamishri started prostrating in the van… one…two…three…five…ten…twenty…twenty-five… Despite his own ill health and exhaustion, he continued prostrating. Yet, in his mind he was still not satisfied. To please Thakorji, he lovingly offered thal, and afterwards sat silently throughout the remainder of the journey, devoutly turning his rosary. Even on reaching New York, Swamishri’s heart remained un-alleviated.
That Thakorji had fallen was not his fault. But their bond was different.
Swamishri offered devotion and service to Thakorji with the firm conviction that he was manifest in the murti. Such was his exemplary devotion towards Thakorji (parabhakti).
Such parabhakti is described in the scriptures, but Swamishri’s life was a living form of parabhakti.
NOT A SYMBOL, BUT GOD HIMSELF
During a TV interview in Lusaka, Mr. Momiz Fishi asked, “What does this small murti symbolize?
Swamishri replied, “This is not a symbol, but is manifest Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This was his childhood form when he manifested on earth. He is Harikrishna Maharaj himself.”
In the village of Ambardi, the murti of Thakorji was left by mistake at a devotee’s house. Swamishri was told about it when he came to his room after an assembly in Amreli. The attendant sadhus had already sent another car to Ambardi to bring Thakorji. On learning about this, Swamishri became more annoyed and said, “For whom is this Mercedes car? It is for Thakorji; not for me! Use the Mercedes for him.”
SWAMISHRI DID NOT STAND UP
On 13 June 1988, during a session of the Canadian Parliament, Hon. John Fraser, the Speaker, stood up to felicitate Swamishri, declaring, “I wish to draw the attention of members to the presence in the gallery of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Head of the Swaminarayan Mission.”
And with thundering applause, the members of parliament looked up towards the VIP gallery to have darshan of Swamishri. But Pramukh Swami Maharaj did not stand up to receive the felicitation. Instead, he first made the sadhu who was holding Harikrishna Maharaj stand up.
Whatever the occasion, big or small — an honor in the Canadian Parliament or a Nairobi City Crest presentation, a meeting with Pope John Paul II in Vatican City or a meeting with The Dalai Lama, a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi at the invitation of President of India Zail Singh or a suvarna tula honor by devotees — Swamishri always kept Harikrishna Maharaj at the forefront, because he firmly believed that the honors were first to be offered to Thakorji, whereas he was merely a medium. He often said that whatever greatness there is, is due solely to Thakorji.
STAUNCH DEVOTION
In public or private, even in the smallest acts, Swamishri did not forget Thakorji.
In Gondal, a new room had been prepared for him. When the saints affectionately requested him to rest in that room, Swamishri ensured that Thakorji slept in that room on the first night and only thereafter did he use the sanctified room.
Swamishri always insisted that the food prepared for him should first be offered to Thakorji. He even showed the medicines to Thakorji before taking them.
In Kisumu, Swamishri was to take a cholera vaccine at Dr. Ghanshyambhai Patel’s clinic. While taking the injection, Swamishri looked unblinkingly at Thakorji. When the doctor gave him a tablet of Novalgin to neutralize the side effects of the vaccine, Swamishri immediately said, “Sanctify it by showing it to Thakorji.” Only then did Swamishri take the tablet.
After Swamishri’s cataract operations, Pravinbhai Patel from Staten Island brought new spectacles for him. Swamishri told an attendant saint, “Sanctify them by offering them first to Thakorji, and then bring them to me.” Then, when the attendant gave the spectacles to him, Swamishri said, “Bring Thakorji.” After Thakorji was brought, Swamishri put on the eyeglasses and first had darshan of Harikrishna Maharaj, thus sanctifying both his spectacles and eyesight.
At Khambhala Hill Hospital in Mumbai, Swamishri had an operation to remove a lump from his thigh. When Swamishri regained consciousness, everyone thought of showing Swamishri the orange-sized tumor that had been removed. So they placed a pair of spectacles on Swamishri and said, “See, this is the lump!” Swamishri did not give any response, but asked instead, “Where is Maharaj?” He put on the spectacles and first had the darshan of Harikrishna Maharaj.
After the surgery, everybody insisted to Swamishri that he should sleep. Swamishri did not wish to sleep. Still, he closed his eyes after everyone left the room. But, he couldn’t sleep. Standing at a distance, the saints had a special darshan — as if Maharaj had come in person for Swamishri! Humbly, with folded hands, Swamishri was making gestures as if he was saying something. Briefly, he would fold his hands, then he would say something. Then, he would relax his hands, and concentrate as if listening to something. This continued for about twenty minutes. After a few days, the secret of this silent conversation was revealed. When an attendant saint asked Swamishri, he said, “At that time, I was having the darshan of Thakorji in all the mandirs.”
Everyone realized that Swamishri remained constantly engrossed in Thakorji even when alone and under the effect of medications.
In Ahmedabad, Swamishri arrived in an evening assembly. He saw that the seat for Thakorji was behind his own seat. So, he immediately called one of the organizing sadhus and said, “My seat should never be ahead of Thakorji’s seat. Bear this in mind always. Fix it in your mind. Remember this. Not just for today or for this place only, but remember this norm forever.”
THAKORJI IS THE ALL-DOER
In 1985, on his return to India after the successful Cultural Festival of India in London, Swamishri was felicitated in Ahmedabad. The compering saint announced, “Swamishri, who has hoisted the flag of Indian culture in the West will now bless the assembly.” Then, Swamishri began, “We are unable to break even a roasted papad [i.e., to do anything]. All this is achieved only due to the wish of Shriji Maharaj.”
In 1985, while being honored in the Suvarna Tula in London, Swamishri’s attention and feelings were totally focused on Maharaj. This was evident when he said, “First of all, I bow to Parabrahman Sarvavatari Purushottam Narayan Bhagwan Swaminarayan, because he gave me this human body, and thereafter, I bow to my gurus Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj, who accepted and blessed me. With their grace and blessings, I am standing before you. Without their grace, I would not have been at this place. They gave me the chance to serve. There are so many standing before God with folded hands, but he gave me the opportunity to do this service. It is my great fortune! Nothing can be done without the grace and wish of God. God is the all-doer. Without God’s wish, even a dry leaf cannot move.”
ALWAYS A SERVANT
In 1982, a grand procession took place in London on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the hari mandir in Neasden. Swamishri was seated on an elephant. After a while, it started to rain and a strong cold wind was blowing. Swamishri immediately held an umbrella to cover Thakorji. He did not mind getting drenched.
During his daily puja, Swamishri so lovingly offered thal that it felt as if Harikrishna Maharaj was himself accepting the offering.
Sometimes, due to the travel schedule, if Thakorji’s rest time was delayed, Swamishri would instruct that Thakorji be woken up a little later next morning.
SAME FOR GOD AS FOR THE BODY
In 1981, while touring in the Bharuch district, the dusty roads caused everyone much discomfort, fatigue and inconvenience. So, whenever they reached their lodgings, the accompanying sadhus would freshen up by washing their hands and feet. Swamishri would say, “Just as we feel the effects of the dusty roads, Thakorji would also have been affected and be tired. Hence, please bathe him in the afternoon and evening before offering him the thal.”
There was only one place to refresh for everyone on their return from the pilgrimage to Kedarnath: in Gaurikund, where there is a natural hot water spring. Swamishri also came to the kund for a bath after returning from the pilgrimage. Swamishri said, “First, let us bathe Harikrishna Maharaj, as he must also be tired.”
The water in the kund was very hot. So, Swamishri specially asked for cold water. He mixed the hot and cold water before bathing Thakorji. Then, for ten to fifteen minutes, Swamishri lovingly and devoutly massaged the murti of Thakorji while bathing him and chanting mantras from the Purushsukta. It was a wonderful experience of Swamishri’s oneness with and devotion for Thakorji.
Without such devotion, the thought that a metal murti would get tired would not arise. As Shriji Maharaj has said in Vachanamrut Sarangpur 3,
“If a person lovingly performs puja of God, with elation and an emotion-filled voice, then regardless of whether he performs puja physically or performs mansi puja, both are superior.”
GOD IS PRESENT IN THE MURTI
In 1988, on the occasion of Yogi Jayanti, the women devotees of London had prepared a cake for Thakorji. When Thakorji was offered fruits in the afternoon, the youths placed the uncut cake and offered it to Thakorji. Then they brought it to Swamishri requesting him to cut it. Swamishri cut the cake and said, “Offer the cake to Thakorji.” Upendra Patel said, “It has already been offered.” Swamishri asked, “How can Thakorji eat a whole cake? Now it is cut, offer it again.” Then, after the cake had been offered again, Swamishri had a small piece.
Once, Swamishri came to have darshan of Thakorji during the shayan arti. On seeing four murtis of Lalji Maharaj in a single bed, Swamishri suggested to the pujari saint, “You have placed all to sleep in one bed. But, since there is not much space how can they stretch or turn to their sides?” So, alternative arrangements were made.
In 1986, at Gajera village, Swamishri arrived to do puja in the assembly hall. The temperature was 7º C (45º F) and a cold wind was also blowing. A heater was kept facing Swamishri to keep him warm. However, when he sat down to perform his puja, Swamishri had the direction of the heater turned towards Harikrishna Maharaj to keep him warm.
On countless such occasions, Swamishri’s devotion and conviction that God is manifest in the murti was seen by all.
GOD FIRST
After the evening assembly at Kelod village in the Bharuch district, Swamishri sat down for dinner. While eating, Swamishri asked an attendant, “Did you offer the bhakhri in the thal?” The attendant said, “No. The bhakhris brought by another devotee from his house were offered.” Swamishri said to the attendant, “Look, two or three bhakhris out of the ones being made for me should be prepared first and offered to Thakorji. Do not give me anything unless it has been offered to Thakorji. To eat without offering to Thakorji is like eating dust.”
In 1987, the construction for the township in preparation for the Kalash Jayanti Mahotsav in Mumbai were to be started. Swamishri arrived to inaugurate the kitchen. Dharmabhushan Swami brought shiro to offer to Thakorji during the inauguration rituals. Swamishri took the plate from him, removed his sandals, even though the ground was muddy, and offered the shiro to Thakorji. After offering it, when he touched the shiro to give it to the saints he realized that it was too hot. Swamishri said, “Oh! This is very hot. I thought it must have been cooled when it was brought for offering!” Then, he himself spread a part of the shiro on one side and cooled it and again offered it to Thakorji saying, “Maharaj, please forgive me. At first, hot shiro was offered. It must have caused you discomfort.” Thus, he humbly begged pardon. Then, after lovingly offering the cooled shiro to Thakorji, he joyfully distributed it to all.
In 1974, Swamishri flew to Nairobi and had to return on the same plane from Nairobi to Mumbai. On the way to Nairobi, thal had been offered to Thakorji in the afternoon. The evening thal was to be offered in Nairobi. However, due to the unexpected return, the evening thal could not be offered to Thakorji. The return flight arrived late at night in Mumbai. On reaching the mandir at about 2:45 am, Swamishri emotionally begged for forgiveness before Thakorji and offered about twenty prostrations. Then, he had some fresh food prepared and offered thal to Thakorji.
Shriji Maharaj has said in the Vachanamrut Gadhada I 68 that, “I forever reside in the eight types of murtis.” Swamishri’s devout life was such that it reflected his true faith in the words of Maharaj.
That is why on returning from bathing Thakorji at the seashore in Vile Parle in Mumbai, Swamishri asked an attendant saint, “We bathed Thakorji in the salty sea water. Have we bathed him in fresh water after returning?” Such devotion is possible only when one believes that God is actually manifest in the murti.
SUBTLE SERVICE
On Swamishri’s return to India after the Suvarna Tula Mahotsav in London, one parshad had prepared a small set of scales and placed a small murti of Swamishri on one side and flowers on the other. In this way, he offered ‘Pushpa Tula’ and brought the set up to show to Swamishri. But Swamishri said, “This is not proper. Bring a murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.” So, the parshad brought a standing murti of Maharaj, but Swamishri said, “This is not appropriate. Bring a seated murti.” After a seated murti was brought, Swamishri swapped it with his murti and honored Maharaj by weighing him against the flowers. How could Maharaj be not bound by such dedicated devotion by Swamishri, who remembered him at every moment?
Shriji Maharaj has said in Vachanamrut Gadhada I 61 that God “becomes bound by anyone who offers profound bhakti to him. As a result, the mind of a devotee who has such loving bhakti becomes so bound to God that God is unable to free himself from him”.
HE IS OUR MOST CHERISHED
Once, Swamishri was asked, “What thoughts do you have 24 hours a day?” Swamishri replied, “About God only.”
On another occasion, somebody asked Swamishri, “What is your personal opinion about Harikrishna Maharaj?” Swamishri replied, “He is our most cherished. What more needs to be said?”
The real opinion about someone beloved is beyond words. His place lies in the heart, not on the lips. Swamishri possessed Maharaj in every atom of his physical form. Without him, how could the existence of Swamishri even be imagined?
THE SECRET OF LIFE
After the evening assembly in Nadiad, Swamishri asked, “Has the arti been performed?” One saint, with the intention of not troubling Swamishri, replied, “Bapa, you need not come, we will perform the arti.” This reply annoyed Swamishri, “You are trying to stop me from attending the arti, but you should never stop me from having darshan. You prohibit me from doing such things. But I have come to offer devotion and worship. If that cannot be done, how do I survive?”
Thakorji was Swamishri’s life. The worship of Thakorji nourished Swamishri. His attachment towards Thakorji sustained Swamishri.
Can the existence of fish be imagined without water? If life without air can be imagined, then one could imagine the life of Swamishri without Thakorji. In fact, Thakorji was integral to Swamishri’s existence.
Sadhu Atmaswarupdas
