R.K. Bengani
One month has passed since Pujya Gurudev Acharya Shri Mahaprajnaji left his gross body for heavenly abode. I was stunned to hear the news. After the first call, the phone just did not stop ringing. Too many people were trying to spread / confirm the news, which was really shocking and simply unbelievable. That afternoon, I was app. 40km away from my office. Luckily, I had help at hand who could drive me back to office. Otherwise it would have been really difficult for me to concentrate on driving on my return trip. By the time I reached office, my next step was decided. That was to immediately go to Sardarshahar for his Antim Darshan. Tickets were booked and few of us from Dubai took night flight to Jaipur and next morning around 10:45 am we reached Sardarshahar. The whole town was full of people. We were able to gain H.H.’ Antim Darshan and to join his Antim Yatra.
I called the editors of HereNow4U and several other people to describe the atmosphere and sombre mood, which prevailed on that day at Sardarshahar. The outpouring of devotion was something unbelievable and unparalleled. For as far as eyes could see, there were just people and people. On the streets, on rooftops, on balconies. Everywhere. All of them were there for the same purpose, of paying last respects to H.H. The residents of Sardarshahar did a very good job of providing shelter, food and water to all the visitors.
Upon returning back to Dubai, we held a memorial meet where I spoke at length about the life history and preachings of H.H. Plus myself and several other brothers and sisters shared their personal experiences with H.H.
He was a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. He was born in the 5th part of the time cycle hence he was not a Keval Gyani. But I strongly feel and believe that he was not far from being a Keval Gyani. And considering the natural limitations of this time cycle he was not much less than a Keval Gyani. Any interaction with him, whether by thoughts, verbal or directly in person always brought positive vibrations in my mind and soul. His eyes were just like a perpetual fountain of compassion. He will always remain an endless source of inspiration. Not only for most believers and me but also for several generations to come.
I went to Sardarshahar again to witness Padabhisekh Samaroh of Acharya Shri Mahashramanji. Back in Dubai, as directed by Param Shradhyey Acharya Shri Mahashramanji, we held a prayer meet yesterday, the 11th day of the dark half of the lunar month.
In the mean time, during past one month, so many times I thought about writing in this column. But no suitable words came to my mind, which could even remotely express the thoughts and emotions thru which I could perhaps pay my respects to that great Soul. So for the purposes of completing the formality of writing, I did the next best thing. I borrowed some words from none else than H.H. late Gurudev Shri Mahaprajna ji’s writing who wrote these words as his obeisance to Mahamana Acharya Bikshu.
hei anaam ke naam santwar,
hei aroop ke roop mahaan;
naam roop ke is jangal mein,
hei anaam tumko pranaam;
hei akaam tumko pranaam