Reminiscences

A Sadhaka once said, to ShriMaharaj, We approach you for advice in case of difficulty. Sometimes, however, the matter is pressing, and there isn't time to consult you. What should we do in such a case ?"

ShriMaharaj replied, " In practice we often tender cor­rect guidance to a friend or relative. It is often correct because our view of the situation is objective, impartial. There was a young man who entered business, and was prospering therein. However, a ship which was bringing his merchandise was seized by the enemy's navy, and so he suffered a crushing loss, and became very despondent about the financial loss he was unprepared for. He had an elderly uncle, also in business, in another town. When the uncle came to learn of the young nephew's plight, he wrote to pep up the young man. The letter had a salutary effect, the young man gathered courage, and, eventually, he became a successful businessman.

"A number of years passed, and by coincidence, the elderly merchant suffered a great loss, involving both money and reputation which had been built up over the years. Aged, and therefore seeking security, he was com­pletely floored, and thoughts of suicide entered his mind. He despondently turned over the papers in his records. He chanced to come across the copy of the letter he had written to the nephew. Idly he read it again and found himself pondering over it. It struck him that the advice he had given to his nephew years ago equally applied to himself 

now. So he took courage, and eventually he regained his 

former status."

After narrating this, ShriMaharaj added, ' If one learns to look at oneself objectively, there will be a proper assess­ment of any situation, and the correct solution will suggest itself,'

Reminiscences

ShriMaharaj narrated this story to illustrate the point that a 'seeker' should always beware of the possibility of ever being touched by lust:

"In a certain town there lived a god-fearing man whom many took to as a guru. Among them was a man who lived elsewhere, but had a sister who was a young, comely widow living in that town. Once the man felt that the sister, like himself, should accept his guru's discipleship and ensure her future welfare. He mentioned this idea to her; on which she said,' Brother, I agree with you, but in my condition I am apprehensive.' The man thought it strange that she should show lack of faith in the good man, and eventually he mentioned it to his guru. The guru only said,' I note what you say." Later, when the time came for the guru to bid the world the final farewell, he told his disciples accordingly, instructing them to place his body untied to the bier, and carry it along a particular street —— the one in which the widow lived. Everything happened as the guru had pre­dicted and instructed . The whole town turned out, and those living on the route of the funeral, stood in the doorways, balconies, windows, etc. to have a last darshan of the saint. So, too the disciple's sister, stood in her doorway. As soon as the funeral procession came to that point, the ' dead ' saint sat up on the bier, and asked the bearers to stop. He jumped down, made straight for the doorway where the widow stood, and touched her feet in salutation, saying,' Mother, it was extremely correct of you to have said to your brother what you did, and a good caution that reminded me of the care I ought to take. Now I am really on my last journey, and you can place trust in me.' So saying, he returned to the bier and lay on it, really lifeless."