31 - Akshardham As A Reward

There was a Brahmin called Chunilal. Chunilal was wise and he was a devotee of God. He was very clever in his studies. He was studying in Mumbai.

Chunilal was very affectionate towards Swami Ishwarcharandasji. He used to visit Swami frequently. Swami would narrate the incidents of God.

Swami adviced, ‘Chunilal! We must be able to recognize an Anadimukta of God and we should remain in touch with him.’ Chunilal was curious, ‘What happens by the contact of Anadimukta?’ he inquired.

Swami explained, ‘Maharaj performs all his acts through his Anadimukta.’ We can know about the glory of Maharaj through their contact. If he is pleased, we can attain abode of God.’

Chunilal asked, ‘Swami who is such Anadimukta?’ Swami informed, ‘He stays in a village called Baladiya in Kutchh. His name is ‘Abjibhai’. Chunilal was very eager for his Darshan.’

He told Swami, ‘Swami, Let us go to Baladiya for his Darshan.’ Swami informed, ‘We visited him recently. Now we can not visit him again without his permission.’ Chunilal was disappointed.

Swami consoled him, ‘Chunilal, Don’t be sad. You may proceed for his Darshan.’ Chunilal requested, ‘Swami, I have never had Darshan of Abjibhai. It would be better if you could accompany me.’

Chunilal forcefully persuaded Swami. Swami agreed finally, ‘Chunilal, when we go to Baladiya next time we shall inform you through a letter. That time you join us.’

Chunilal requested, ‘Swami please write me a letter to Mumbai address. I will go to Mumbai to study.’ Chunilal left for Mumbai to continue his studies. Months passed by.

One fine day Chunilal received a letter from Swami. Chunilal was delighted. Swami wrote, ‘Chunilal! We have arrived Baladiya for the Darshan of Abjibhai. If possible, please join us.

Chunilal was in dilema, ‘My examination is going on. How could I go?’ He wrote back to Swami. ‘Swami, half of my exmas are over and I have to appear for the remaining half. So please inform me, if I could join you as soon as the exmas are over or should I visit my home on the way to Baladiya.’

Swami gave this letter to Bhaishri. Bhaishri was intuitive, he knew everything. He informed Swami, ‘Please write him to visit his house first and then come here.’

Chunilal finished his exams and went home. He fell sick. He asked his father, ‘Father when would I be all right? I want to go to Baladiya.’

Father consoled him, ‘Son, soon you will be allright. Treatment of Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) will improve your health. Everyday Chunilal inquired his father about his health. Whole day he used to think, ‘When would I feel better and when could I go to Baladiya for the Darshan of Anadimukta Abjibhai.’ Chunilal was yearning for the Darshan.

Chunilal couldn’t be cured of illness. His lifespan was over. Bhaishri along with Maharaj appeared in front of Chunilal. Chunilal told his father, ‘Father, Maharaj has arrived to take me to His abode.’

Father asked, ‘Where is He? I can not see Him.’ Chunilal indicated, ‘Here He is.’ Chunilal was full of joy. Maharaj spoke, ‘Chunilal, Here is my Anadimukta Abjibhai for whose Darshan you wanted to go to Baladiya. He has come here to see you.’

Chunilal informed his father, ‘Father, Bhaishri also is accompanying Maharaj.’ Father asked, ‘But you do not know Bhaishri. How did you recognize him?’

Chunilal replied, ‘Maharaj introduced him.’ Maharaj spoke again, ‘Chunilal, you had heartfelt desire for the Darshan of my Anadimukta, isn’t it?’

Chunilal confessed, ‘Yes Maharaj, I was very eager for his Darshan.’ Maharaj revealed, ‘You desired wholeheartedly, therefore I have come to take you to my abode. Abjibhai informed me that Chunilal’s wish is (heartfelt) real, so please take Him to your abode.’

Chunilal was grateful, ‘Maharaj, you are the most compassionate.’ Maharaj spoke, ‘Whoever remembers My Anadimukta wholeheartedly becomes eligible for my abode. Now let us go.’

Chunilal took permission of his father, ‘Father, I am leaving. Maharaj took him to His abode.

Difficult words:
Yearning - An intense desire
Intuitive - Possessing the quality of intuition

Points to ponder:
- If we remember an Anadimukta whole-heartedly, he appears in front of us in his divine form.
- Even if a living being has not been able to have Darshan, but has total devotion, then the most compassionate Mukta liberates his soul.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. Where was Chunilal studying?
2. In whose contact was Chunilal?
3. Whom did Swami recommend to contact?
4. When and how did Chunilal attain the Darshan of Bhaishri?

Fill in the blanks:
1. There was a ___________ called.
2. Chunilal was very fond of ____________.
3. We must learn to recognize the ___________ of God and should remain in ___________ with them.

Arrange in proper sequence:
1. Eligible whole heartedy becomes abode My for remember My Anadimukta whoever.
2. Whole heartedly have you desired come to therefore I you take to My abode.

Make sentences using the following words:
affection, contact, unity, eagerness.