In the service of others

II In the service of others II

The scorching summer days in India had arrived. In the blazing heat of one afternoon in Vidyanagar, a devotee entered the precincts of the Akshar Purushottam Chhatralay. He wished to sanctify his brand new truck at the holy hands of Swamishri. At his request, Swamishri came out of his residence, placed Thakorji in his truck and performed the rituals of sanctification.

Then, instead of returning to his residence, Swamishri proceeded towards Sadhujivan Swami, who was standing in the sun. On reaching him, Swamishri asked with a deep sense of love and care, “Don’t you wear shoes?”
“No, Bapa,” Sadhujivan Swami replied.

On learning that Sadhujivan Swami had vowed not to use any footwear with the desire to perform austerity, Swamishri removed his own shoes and compassionately said, “Here, wear these. From now onwards wear either shoes or slippers that suit you.”
Sadhujivan Swami refused to wear Swamishri’s shoes, and on seeing him barefooted in the hot sun he begged Swamishri to take his shoes back.

As Swamishri returned to his residence, Sadhujivan Swami reflected upon Swamishri’s profound love and empathy for him.