Prasang 72

The Bridge of Gurubhakti

By the āgnā of Brahmaswarup Shastriji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj served as the Kothāri (chief administrator) of the Sārangpur Mandir from 1946 to 1950. During this time, Swamishri took on the task of constructing a bridge over the Falgu River, which flowed in front of the temple gates.

Shastriji Maharaj had expressed his wish: “This bridge should be twenty-four feet wide.” However, at that time, the population of Sārangpur village was less than a thousand. The number of vehicles used by visiting devotees was also quite limited. Additionally, financial resources were scarce, and construction materials were limited. Considering these factors, Swamishri and Arjunbhāi, a devotee overseeing the construction, decided, “Even if the bridge is only sixteen feet wide, two vehicles can still pass without much difficulty. So why increase the expenses unnecessarily by building a larger bridge?”

With this thought, Pramukh Swami Maharaj went to Atlādarā to consult Shastriji Maharaj. He met him around 4–5 PM and explained the matter regarding the bridge’s width. Shastriji Maharaj listened carefully but gave no response.

That same night, Shastriji Maharaj called Swamishri to his room and instructed him to read the 86th chapter of the Bhaktachintāmani. With his melodious voice, Swamishri began singing the following verses:

“The moon, the sun, the ocean, etc.-

All abide by our words;

Water, earth, fire, air, etc.-

Even they fear us in their hearts.

All of them know that whatever is commanded by the great one will be fulfilled;

Such is the power of our words—do you recognize it or not?

If you truly understand the power of our words,

Then follow them with wisdom;

If you do not accept them wholeheartedly,

Then how can you claim to desire moksha?

You are all wise and have heard many divine discourses;

Yet, if you disregard even our smallest commands, what will you gain?”

When Swamishri finished singing, Shastriji Maharaj asked, “Did you understand the meaning of these words?”

“Yes,” Swamishri replied.

“What did you understand?” Shastriji Maharaj asked.

“The bridge should be twenty-four feet wide.”

Hearing this response, Shastriji Maharaj was immensely pleased. With deep affection, he embraced Swamishri and blessed him alot.

This incident teaches us an invaluable lesson: True gurubhakti lies in setting aside our own reasoning, preferences, and calculations to follow the Guru’s will and inner wish with complete faith and devotion. By creating this situation, Pramukh Swami Maharaj demonstrated the ideal way to practice gurubhakti.

Whenever we have to make a decision in our sevā, we should not rely on our personal opinions, logic, experience, or the views of others. Instead, we should ask ourselves: “What is the wish of the Satpurush? What is his āgnā?” Following this principle is true gurubhakti. Only through such sevā can we attain the Guru’s rājipo.