5. A Unique Family -''marriage of two minds''

Anadimukta who dwell upon the earth by the exercise of Shreeji Maharaj's divine will to redeem the greatest number of souls and bring relief to millions conduct themselves leading either the life of an ascetic or that of a house holder- 'grihastha'. This makes no difference.

As our Muktaraj embodied noble virtues like complete control of senses, non-attachment, purity of thought and action, Sadguru Swami Shri Shwetvaikunthdasji of Muli wanted him to renounce. He thought that if a young man who was also paragon of virtues and a mukta joined the ascetics, he would provide strength to satsang and enhance the glory of Maharaj. But Muktaraj Mansukhbapa dissuaded him saying, ''You are thinking of offering him holy-order but Maharaj has ordained that he should lead the life of a householder. Both, Maharaj and Bapashri had appeared in a vision and told me, ''Let Narayanbhai lead the life of a grihastha. Therefore, he shall get married.'' The Swami accepted the divine will and kept quiet. Muktaraj thinking it should enable him to reach out to a greater number of devotees, both, men and women and thus disseminate divine bliss and happiness among the people.

Inspired by Shreeji Himself, Muktaraj Mansukhbapa proposed the name of Pujya Leelaben. She belonged to a wealthy family. She was a student of a convent and used cars. Muktaraj was almost a pauper and therefore nobody would have thought of uniting a wealthy bride and a poor bridegroom in a marriage. As there was a great economic disparity between the two families Pujya Narayanbhai frankly told her about his economic condition and asked her if she would get used to a life of want and struggle. Leelaben was hardly thirteen, too young to take decisions. However, inspired and guided by God Himself she showed maturity and wisdom when she replied: ''If you manage to get one loaf of bread we will share it with joy and shall merge my happiness in your happiness and seek satisfaction in the worship of God. Who can object to the union made by Maharaj Himself? Muktaraj was more than pleased with Leelaben's reply, and they got married in 1944. On the wedding night itself Muktaraj told his bride about his vow of observing lifelong (Naishthik) celibacy (brahmacharya). Leelaben gladly agreed to honour his vow and the couple led the life of celibates. For years their house was never bolted from within. However the normal feelings of patience, courage, compassion, love, endurance and companionship that people seek in a marriage were never absent. Theirs was an enviable marriage. They stood by each other in sickness and sorrow and always respected each other's points of view. One could always see the glow of contentment and serenity on their faces. It was indeed a marriage of two minds rather than of two beings.

These are innate attributes of Anadimuktas; they need not display them. Their active and personal aspects are shown to others so that they may emulate them. The divine muktas through their conduct in marriage set example of a righteous religious life of accommodation, undivided loyalty and unconditional love. A life of a 'grihastha' married man is usually divided between the polarity of worldly cares and sense of gratification whereas that of mukta-couple is made of human-divine substance i.e. oneness. Pujya Shri Narayanbhai and Pujya Leelaben remind us of another divine couple, Shri Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Maa Shardamanidevi. Even in marriage they sought love of God, Union with God and every little and every important action was devoted to God.