4. Academic Career

Soon after arriving at Dhrangadhra, all of a sudden, Shakuba fell ill. Although it was his matriculation examination year, Pujya Shri Narayanbhai, did not seek admission to school. He attended on his mother and talked to her about God. The mother experienced the highest spiritual joy while listening to her son. Once she said to Muktaraj: ''I must have led a pious life and performed good actions in my previous births to deserve a great Mukta like you as my son. I remember clearly the prophecy of Bapashri. He had told us about your divine origin. You are a great Mukta sent to dwell in our midst by Maharaj. I remembered how you had exorcised the evil spirits at Vadhvan and granted them 'moksha'. I pray that I should be saved from the wheel of rebirth and death and absorbed in the eternal bliss of Maharaj''. Muktaraj reassured her saying, 'Mother, you are one of Maharaj's dearest dovotees. Throughout you have meditated upon Him, devoted every moment to Him therefore Bhagvan will certainly receive you in his being. Just remember God, meditate upon his Murti and take delight in Him.'' Realizing that the end was approaching nearer, Pujya Shri Narayanbhai revealed the divine cosmic form Shreeji Maharaj to her and merged her soul into the Lord's divine being. Thus, experiencing eternal peace in the divine dialogues of Muktaraj, Shakuba forever merged into the being of Shri Hariji.

After the death of his mother Pujya Shri Narayanbhai returned to his studies and passed the matriculation examination at Dhrangadhra, securing a first class.

Then he went to Bhavnagar and joined Shamaldas college. He studied there for a year and passed the Inter Science examination in first class. He went to Surat to study for his B.Sc. degree. While Pujya Shri Narayanbhai was at Vadhvan, Acharya Shri Anandprasadji had known him to be a 'Mukta Purusha- God realized liberated man. As he was aware of Shri Narayanbhai's brilliant academic career, he gave him a letter of recommendation addressed to Swami Harijivandasji of Surat temple. Muktaraj carried this letter to Surat. In the meantime, he was married to Pujya Leelaben. He joined M. T. B. Science College, Surat and stayed in the hostel. The temple was four to five kilometers from the hostel. He used to go to temple for his meals on a bicycle. As his financial condition was not good, he would store peanuts and eat it with the molasses, whenever he became hungry. During his college days Pujya Shri Narayanbhai led a simple, unaffected, wholesome life. He practised self-restraint and avoided contact with girls. Being an introvert, he would leave his class with his eyes towards the ground, meditating upon Maharaj.

While he was at Surat, once he caught pneumonia. His condition became so critical that he was to be admitted to hospital. But as he did not want to be attended on by female nurses, he refused to go to hospital. He dicided to stay in the hostel itself. There was nobody to look after him in the hostel. So a Sastangi called Ghanshyambhai shifted him to his house and nursed him. When Leelaben came to know about his illness, she took him to Bombay for treatment. After some time, he was shifted to Patan. The devotees at Patan pleaded with him to get himself rid of illness. He responded to their prayers and bade good bye to his ailment. Due to prolonged sickness, he could not continue his studies. As he could not go to college, he decided to accept some job.

He was appointed as a school teacher at New High School, Patan. As he had become very weak, Leelaben stayed with him at Patan. As their income was very limited, Muktaraj had rented a cheaper house at Rugnath's pol- a narrow lane. The building next to his was a haunted house. The ghost made its presence felt by hitting Leelaben with a rope. While she was performing her evening rites, Leelaben could see the rope but never the evil spirit. After all, Leelaben was a courageous woman. Merciful Muktaraj offered 'moksha' to the evil spirit. After some time he hired another house at Rs. 6.00 in Girdhari's pada- colony. This house was infested with gins and ghosts. They were rowdy and caused nuisance by breaking locks and throwing utensils off the shelves. Muktaraj's sister, Manekben had an encounter with one of the evil spirits. The house could have been cleared of ghosts only by Muktaraj. Compassionate and merciful Muktaraj took pity on the condemned souls and offered salvation to them; exorcised the ghosts and turned the house into a holy place. We feel like citing here yet onother incident that took place at Dhrangadhra. Once at 12 midnight, Muktaraj, Pujya Divaliba and Pujya Leelaben were returning home after calling on one of the relatives of Pujya Divaliba. They had to pass by a place called 'Kashikuvo', the well where some evil spirits dwelled. Nobody dared to pass by that well at night. As soon as these three Muktas arrived there, Divaliba saw innumerable ghosts on the well. Muktaraj was completely absorbed in his meditation upon Maharaj even while walking. Divaliba almost shouting in fright said to Muktaraj ''Narayanbhai, look at the well.'' Muktaraj stopped, gazed at the ghosts, sprinkled water on them repeating: ''Swaminarayan! Swaminarayan!''. The evil spirits were instantly freed from their hellish life and the place became quiet and safe. The people of the town took a sigh of relief and thanked Muktaraj. Muktaraj, had redeemed many evil minded souls by using his miraculous divine powers.

Here is one more interesting story revealing the divine attributes of our Muktaraj. Once he was teaching his students. The head master of the school sent for him. At that time some educational inspectors were observing the lessons. They went to the class where Muktaraj was teaching. They were impressed by his scholarship as well the method of teaching. Then they went to the head master's office. When they saw Muktaraj talking to the principal, they did not believe their eyes. They were unable to express their surprise. The Principal introduced Muktaraj to the visitors, saying: ''Meet the most efficient teacher of our school. He is also an ardent devotee of God.'' The inspectors who were baffled by his presence, at once in the class-room as well as in the principal's chamber could not resist asking him : ''We had met you a moment ago in your class room and now we find you working here too. How do you explain your presence here as well as there at one and the same time? Is this possible?'' In all humility Muktaraj replied, ''As far as I know, I have been busy here only. If you saw me in my class room, it must be an act of Shreeji Maharaj. He is all-knowing God.'' The inspectors were forced to suspend their disbelief. They stood before him in true devotion and the head master too bowed his head in prayer.

God's dearest Anadimuktas manifest themselves at the command and will of God. In fact, often He acts through them and at times He assumes their human form to reveal to others that He and His Muktas are indivisible. No one has the power to separate the inseparable.

After working as a teacher for some months at Patan, he joined college at Bhavnagar to complete his final year of B. Sc. degree. He worked very hard and passed the B. Sc. Examination, securing a first class in 1946. After graduation, he went to Ahmedabad and obtained Diploma in Textile Chemistry. Thus, the most enlightened one completed the so-called education to fulfil his human obligation.