Prasang 67
Morsels of Love
Once, Yogiji Maharaj went to Nārāyan Dharo (a river bed in Sārangpur) with some swamis for a bath. At the same time, two swamis from the Muli Mandir, Uttamcharandas and Nārāyanprasāddas, were also present there. These two harbored malicious intentions and planned to attack Yogiji Maharaj. As soon as Yogiji Maharaj entered the water, they picked up stones and waited on the shore. However, due to the Amās festival, there were many devotees present, and they could not throw stones. When Yogiji Maharaj came out from the water, they instead showered him with harsh words and insults. To Yogiji Maharaj, insults were merely an ornament of saintliness. Smiling, he walked away without any reaction.
Time passed, and Nārāyanprasāddas, one of the insulting swamis, embarked on a pilgrimage. His destination was Kāriyāni, but he stepped on broken glass along the way, injuring his foot. Due to heavy rains, his wound worsened, getting infected, and he could barely walk. Along with another swami, he reached Botād station and hired a horse carriage to Sārangpur. However, the cart driver refused to go further to Kāriyāni due to muddy roads. Instead, he dropped them at Sārangpur and left.
They visited Hanumānji’s Mandir, but the mandir doors had closed by then. Heavy rain continued to pour. Since they belonged to the old Muli Mandir, they believed the new mandir (BAPS) would not accommodate them. However, Nārāyanprasāddas was in great pain due to his injured foot. At 11 PM, they knocked on the doors of BAPS Sārangpur Mandir with no other choice.
By that time, everyone in the mandir had retired for the night after their kathā and cheshtā. Only Yogiji Maharaj was still awake, preparing to sleep. The mandir watchman informed him that two unknown swamis were seeking shelter. Yogiji Maharaj walked to the door without hesitation and warmly welcomed them. He then insisted that they have dinner. However, the kitchen had no leftover food. So, Yogiji Maharaj offered them the sanctified prasād from Thākorji’s thāl: puris, pickles, and chickpea flour laddus.
The two swamis were famished, and as they ate each morsel, they felt overwhelmed by Yogiji Maharaj’s love. Afterward, Yogiji Maharaj even arranged bedding for them.
As they settled down, Yogiji Maharaj gently asked them the purpose of their visit. Nārāyanprasāddas replied, “We were on our way to Kāriyāni for darshan, but the cart driver left us here due to the rain. We plan to leave early morning.” At dawn, Yogiji Maharaj arranged another cart to take them to Kāriyāni.
By this time, Nārāyanprasāddas recognized Yogiji Maharaj. The same mouth that once hurled insults at Yogiji Maharaj was now being fed with his loving hands. Realizing this, tears of repentance streamed from his eyes. Overcome with emotion, he said, “Yogiji Maharaj! You are truly beyond enmity. You bear no ill will toward anyone. Your heart is filled only with love.” However, Yogiji Maharaj gently placed his hand over his mouth, signaling to forget the bitter past. His face reflected the thought: “I have done nothing special. Shouldn’t one do at least this much for their own people?”
Such rare, selfless, and forgiving Sant is nearly impossible to find in this world. If we can imbibe even a fraction of Yogiji Maharaj’s love, humility, and ability to forgive, our hearts, too, will overflow with peace, joy, and selflessness.
