Prasang 15
Just Satsang, No Expectations
Agatrāi, a village near Junāgadh, was the home of Parvatbhāi, a devoted disciple of Rāmānand Swami. Parvatbhāi, along with Muktānand Swami and Mayārām Bhatt, had made a solemn vow: they would not be swayed by any miracles, even if someone showed Shri Radhā-Krishna in their palm. Their unwavering loyalty was reserved solely for Rāmānand Swami. However, upon his first meeting with Nilkanth Varni, Parvatbhāi’s conviction shifted. He recognized Nilkanth Varni as Supreme Bhagwān.
Parvatbhāi was a leading devotee in Satsang. Rāmānand Swami always included him in important decisions regarding Satsang. When Rāmānand Swami decided to appoint Shriji Maharaj as his successor in Jetpur, he first disclosed this to Rāmdās Swami, Muktānand Swami, and Parvatbhāi in private. Such was the esteemed position of Parvatbhāi in the Satsang.
Beyond his involvement in Satsang decisions, his spiritual state was equally profound. Even during mundane tasks, such as working in his fields, Parvatbhāi maintained his āhniks. He would offer thāl in mānsi to Shriji Maharaj. Once, while Parvatbhāi was engaged in mānsi, a fellow farmer shook him, and a rotlo (millet bread) and yogurt materialized from his empty hands, falling to the ground. Shriji Maharaj once explaining the definition of true satsangi told Muktānand Swami and Brahmānand Swami that they were gunbuddhi satsangis, meaning their spiritual state was still influenced by the three gunas (sattvagun, rajogun, and tamogun). He, however, considered Parvatbhāi and Gordhanbhāi to be his true satsangis. Furthermore, when Swarupānand Swami experienced inner turmoil, Shriji Maharaj advised him to listen to Parvatbhāi’s kathā for solace.
Parvatbhāi was such a great and deeply devoted to Shriji Maharaj. On one occasion, Shriji Maharaj requested grains from Parvatbhāi for sadāvrat (almshouse). Without a moment’s hesitation, Parvatbhāi donated his entire stored supply—sixteen kadshi of grains, approximately 6400 kg—which required eight to ten carts for transport.
However, on another occasion, the same devoted Parvatbhāi went to Gadhadā to be in his presence and have darshan. For seven days, Parvatbhāi sat near Shriji Maharaj, absorbing his darshan and listening to his kathā. One day, Shriji Maharaj asked the Brahmachāri, “Where does Parvatbhāi eat?”
“Maharaj, he must be eating in the darbār,” the Brahmachāri replied. Shriji Maharaj then asked Jivubā the same question, to which she responded, “Doesn’t he eat here? The Brahmachāri must be feeding him.”
Finally, Shriji Maharaj asked Parvatbhāi directly, “Where do you eat?”
With humility, Parvatbhāi answered, “Maharaj, I nibble on some dāliyā (roasted gram) here and there. Just having your darshan satisfies me.” Despite such an extraordinary act of generosity of donating his whole livelihood, no one in Gadhadā inquired about his own meals. Still, Parvatbhāi did not feel disheartened. He never slackened in satsang, nor did he harbor any resentment towards Shriji Maharaj, the swamis, or the devotees. He remained steadfast in his sevā and bhakti. Seeing Parvatbhāi’s transcendent state and his life free from any expectations, Shriji Maharaj was immensely pleased.
In Vachanāmrut Gadhadā I-70, Shriji Maharaj has said, “If I practice satsang, my ill body will recover’, or ‘As I am childless, may I get a son’, or ‘As my sons are dying, may they stay alive’, or ‘Since I am poor, may I become rich’, or ‘If I do satsang, I will regain my lost assets’, One should not practice satsang harboring desires for such material gains.”
We, too, should strive to practice satsang selflessly, solely for the purpose of our moksha. By doing so, we will truly please Shriji Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj.
