HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Vicharan

2, September, Friday, Mumbai

Harishbhai Kanabar, the chairman of Nairobi Satsang, rang Swamishri to say that his only son, 19-year-old Jay, had passed away in a car accident. Jay was a dedicated youth who was soulfully engaged in satsang activities. In spite of the terrible calamity Harishbhai and his wife had displayed great patience and equanimity. He informed Swamishri, “The funeral is over. We commenced his last rites from the mandir with the mandir band playing a happy spiritual score. We distributed penda and sugar crystals to all the devotees.”

Swamishri became emotional on hearing his words of faith and glory for Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Then Swamishri praised and blessed, “Harish, you are a genuine devotee. Your whole family has digested satsang in its real sense. You have taken the side of satsang with great courage. Your son was pious and you performed his last rites with the music of the mandir band. You have made the occasion of death far greater than that of a marriage ceremony. You have imbibed satsang into your soul. We have heard and speak of great devotees of the past, but we find them to be present today. You have proved that to be true. Your wife has also shown such inner strength and courage. You have transformed a sad occasion into a festive one because of your faith in God and by not worrying about what your community says. Your son is in Maharaj’s lap in Akshardham. He is happy and so is Maharaj. To have such calibre of devotion and joy is all due to the grace of Yogi Bapa and Shastriji Maharaj. Otherwise, another would give up his daily puja. One would simply break down in grief and give up one’s faith. But you have firmly established satsang in your soul, and so you will have immense happiness, peace and the ability to do a lot of seva. Your son is in Akshardham.”

While Swamishri was talking to Harishbhai there was sympathy and a divine glow on his face. Even his words resonated with joy at Harishbhai’s spiritual faith and understanding.