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Satsang
in Sorath:
Once,
Acharya Maharaj and Swami went on an excursion in the country-side
of Sorath. Here, one of the bullocks of Maharaj's cart was injured.
So Swami sent the attendants to the neighbouring village to
fetch a better bullock in his name. The attendants went there
and asked for a bullock in the name of Acharya Maharaj. So the
farmers did not pay any heed to their request. But the attendants
were suddenly reminded of Swami's name and they made a fresh
request in the name of Swami. In response to that request, one
of the farmers immediately ran down with a very good pair of
bullocks. He bowed to Swami, and selected a good bullock and
put the yoke on that bullock and gifted it to Swami. Swami did
not accept it as a gift, so he said, "Swami, we cannot
put a yoke on the bullock which has once pulled your cart."
The farmer went back to his home. After his departure, the attendants
narrated to Acharya Maharaj the incident of their experience
in the village. Raghuvirji Maharaj then told Swami that if one
who is not in the satsang dedicates so much to you simply on
your name, then what would a satsangi not do for you ? On hearing
this Swami smiled and said, "Maharaj, I've explained the
glory of satsang to the people of Sorath such that if need be
I can fill up the Khengar well of Junagadh with the heads of
satsangis of Sorath."
At Junagadh, Swami had created a highly conducive atmosphere
for holy discourses. Once Swami said that in this satsang, there
are such talks which would transform a Jiva into Brahman. On
hearing this Jaga Bhakta asked as to why a Jiva does not become
Brahman easily. Swami replied to this, "Jiva is not tied
with affection with God or a realised person. If the Jiva is
so tied, then: the faith may be lacking. If the faith is present,
total confession may be lacking. If there are affection, faith
and sincere behaviour then it would be impossible for a Jiva
to remain without becoming Brahman." Bhakta Jaga then asked
how is it that even if there is affection, the faith is lacking.
Swami replied, Bhakta Jala, for example, has affection for me,
but he wouldn't do what I asked him to do. Raghuvirji Maharaj
had once humorously remarked that he wished to keep Gunatitanand
Swami at Vadtal. On hearing this remark, Bhakta Jala had raised
a hue and cry. But if he was busy sweeping with a broom in the
hand, and if Swami asked him to shun that work and worship God,
he would not follow Swami's words, Thus it is very difficult
to have undivided faith in the God-realised saint.
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