Beyond the Body Enlightened Masters are abodes where all the divine virtues reside together. Pujya Gurudevshri is one such treasure chest of extraordinary qualities. Let us marvel at His remarkable virtues and get inspired to kindle them in ourselves 26th September… A magical date, the thought of which instantly elevates many hearts across the globe. Yes, it is the day Pujya Gurudevshri arrived on this earth in this physical form – a form that has been the cause of spiritual upliftment for a multitude of souls. Through His eyes, divinity glances at this world. Through His lips, love smiles upon the universe. Through His hands, grace touches numerous beings and His Feet leave footprints for generations to follow. However, it would be a gross error on our part to know Him just by His external form. His true glory emanates from His intrinsic divine virtues, at the base of which is His revelation in the pure Soul and complete disassociation with the body. While the world extols His countenance, He never, even for a moment, identifies Himself with the physical form. Let us glimpse through some of His life incidences which highlight His spiritual grandeur and thereby deepen our reverence and devotion towards Him. On July 20, 2002, Pujya Gurudevshri was en route to Idar to participate in a pratishtha when His car met with an accident. He suffered injuries to His back and spine. To ensure that the occasion of pratishtha was not affected, He wore a makeshift belt which provided temporary support to His back. Under tremendous pain, He climbed the hill at Idar and enthusiastically participated in the pratishtha ceremony. Truly, for Him, anything happening to His body is an event happening miles away and He is just a witness to it, unaffected and unmoved! On December 31, 2005, on the occasion of the bhoomi pujan of Shrimad Rajchandra Jivamaitridham Gaushala, just as Pujya Gurudevshri held the burning torch, hot liquid fuel spilled on His hands and clothes. In an instant His clothes caught fire. As volunteers rushed to provide remedy, devotees around observed immense calmness on Pujya Gurudevshri’s face. Who else, apart from the one detached from the body, can radiate calmness in such a situation? In June 2009, during a Scandinavian cruise, Pujya Gurudevshri got injured with sudden bursting of a glass panel on the ship. His entire body was impregnated with glass pieces. The doctor on board removed the glass pieces without any anaesthesia. Amidst such agonising pain, He was quiet and unaffected. Those present saw Him lie majestically on the operation table, allowing the doctor to do his job. One of the glass pieces had penetrated deep into the sole of His foot and the doctor missed removing it. Despite the discomfort, He continued with His USA dharmayatra and finally that glass piece was removed in Dharampur. On July 18, 2012, Pujya Gurudevshri underwent an angiography, which showed significant narrowing in one of the three main arteries of His heart. To prevent any risk of a heart attack, a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) was performed and a 2.25mm x 18mm resolute integrity stent was placed. In a similar situation of pain and discomfort, while most of us would have shown signs of anxiety, fear and nervousness, Pujya Gurudevshri was nonchalant and peaceful. He pursued His meditation and swadhyay even while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after the angioplasty. Only four days after the angioplasty, He blessed aspirants with a discourse in Mumbai and subsequently accompanied the mumukshus of Premarpit Group for a three-day shibir at Shri Kulpakji Tirth. Unaffected by the clouds of external developments, He shines like a sun, radiating equanimity and tranquillity. On July 5, 2013, Pujya Gurudevshri suffered two fractures on His left foot. Doctors advised Him complete bed rest. But can His love for devotees ever rest? Such was His boundless compassion that He conducted a shibir, celebrated Gurupurnima with thousands of devotees and embarked on a dharmayatra to Canada and UK. While, for months, He limped with a cast on His left foot, His spirits flew on wings of compassion for devotees. Groundwater is present everywhere but becomes visible only where wells are dug. Similarly such incidences are only windows to Pujya Gurudevshri’s state of detachment from the body, which is continuously present in each of His activities, be it eating, walking or even sleeping! While He does not identify Himself with the body, neither does He consider it a foe. Well aware that the body is an important tool for His goal of spreading Param Krupalu Dev’s benevolent name and teachings to the world, He takes care of it like a loving neighbour. He maintains His physical health through regular exercise and practise of yoga. He observes the discipline of paranayama as diligently as that of meditation. Indeed, He is a true example of being perfect yet detached. Let Us Be Like Him! Let us not stop at just applauding His qualities. Let us take steps to cultivate them within us. Begin your day with the assertion that you are only a witness to the body. Differentiate between your Soul and role. During daily activities, just pause for a minute and observe what is going on at body level. Be aware that you are distinct from all the happenings. To reduce your attachment, subject your body to a little discomfort and practice remaining calm in such situations. He, who despite having a body, remains in a transcendental state beyond the body, At the Lotus Feet of such an Enlightened Soul, I offer innumerable salutations.
