2. Poor but Pious

The parents of our 'Muktaraj', Gigabhai Bhanjibhai Thakker and Shakuben were simple but deeply religious. With firm faith in the divinity of Lord Shri Swaminarayan, this couple, Gigabhai and Shakuben deeply loved Bapashri. This plain and pious couple worked as labourers wherever new roads were being made. They were always moving from one place to another and therefore they had neither a fixed home nor a permanent address. But while building roads and chanting the name of Shreeji Maharaj with gratitude and love, this couple was also paving a spiritual road. They always offered 5% (20th part) of their hard earned money to God. Despite economic constraints and professional hazards, they strictly observed all their religious duties as preached and commanded by Shreeji Maharaj and led a life of contentment.

It so happend that one day Sheth Shri Shivlalbhai Parekh, an expert in discovering human jewels, spotted this devout couple working with their soul and body. He encouraged Gigabhai and Shakuben to go with him to Dhrangadhra and provided them not only work but shelter also. Through diligence and hard honest work Gigabhai rose to position of on independent building contractor. The beautiful front portion of Shri Swaminarayan Temple was built by Gigabhai.

Gigabhai and Shakuben had three sons and two daughters. Their eldest son Harjivanbhai had joined the father's business so he didn't have much schooling. He was an unassuming, straight forward man. Their second child- Godavariben led a pious life of a devotee. Once while she was on a pilgrimage of 'Panchtirthas'- the five holy places hallowed by Shri Hariji's visit, she in her state of 'samadhi' - meditation of Panchala witnessed the 'rasleela' - the divine dance of Shreeji Maharaj. When she was in 'samadhi', Shreeji Maharaj said to her ''Return home. Make haste. I've decided to take you back to my heavenly abode- the 'DHAM'.'' As soon as she woke up from her 'samadhi', she returned home and within twenty-four hours she left her body merged in the tranquil state of Shreeji Maharaj. Their third child Amrutlalbhai was a brilliant student, a man of science who believed in testing and verifying before accepting an idea or a concept. In those days of wide spread illiteracy, doctors were rare, still Gigabhai's doctor son in all humility had used his knowledge and training as a means to serve people. He never collected fees from the poor patient. It was his mode of worship. Even today, the elders in Dhrangadhra fondly remember the selfless service of Thakker Doctor; as he was popularly called. The fourth child Manekben was a deeply religious woman. She insisted upon following all the commandments of Shreeji Maharaj and never compromised in the matter of religious observance. She had decided to arrange a 'Parayan' [religious service that included reading of the scriptures] in memory of her late husband Dhanjibhai. But suddenly she was taken ill. Her condition worsened and the end seemed approaching. She felt the presence of Shreeji Maharaj guiding her on way to 'Dham'. But as she had not yet fulfilled her vow to have a 'Parayana' conducted for the salvation of her departed husband, she earnestly, prayed to 'Muktaraj' to request Shreeji Maharaj to grant her some time so that she might fulfill her holy vow before He took her to 'Dham'. Stirred by the strong yearning of the devotee to fulfill her holy vow, the compassionate Muktaraj prayed to Maharaj. The prayer was granted. Manekben recovered from her ailment. She fulfilled her vow by organising 'Parayana' for the 'moksha' [salvation of her husband, at Shri Abjibapashri's Chhatri and left her body to merge with the Murti of Maharaj. Gigabhai's fifth child was our spiritual leader, Muktaraj Narayanbhai who combined in himself simplicity, piety, honesty and devotion of his parents, innocence of Harjivanbhai, scholarship and missionary zeal of Amrutlalbhai, and humility, steadfastness and fervent religious temper of sisters Godavariben and Manekben. Pujya Shri Narayanbhai displayed all those qualities that we seek in a 'bhakta' who climbs the divine heights of 'Anadimukta' - the highest state of a God-realized person.