In his first meeting
Gurudev had prescribed for me three disciplines. Twenty-four Gayatri
Mahapurascaranas had to be performed for twenty-four years strictly in
accordance with the prescribed rules in front of a ghrit lamp to be kept
lighted uninterruptedly. The second important discipline to be undergone was of
writing books for promoting t enlightened good of the masses. This was also
essential for my own self-growth and self-education. This needed intense and
extensive study and concentration. Side by side, public contacts had to be established
to develop my organizing skills. The third important responsibility was to play
the role of a voluntary freedom-fighter in India's struggle for independence. As
a matter of fact, these programs were not complementary to each other, but none
of these became an obstacle in the progress of my Sadhana and study; although,
in between, I had to visit Himalayas twice. The credit for this goes to my
divine guide who had taken full control of the reins of my life and had assured
constant protection.
I was enjoined by Gurudev
to have the outlook of a Risi. I was also told that although I was related to
my family, I should remain quite detached from it. I should listen to everybody
but should do what I considered appropriate; as it would be well nigh
impossible for me to reach the goal if attention is paid to their advice.
Spiritual path (sreya) and material path (preya) are diametrically opposite to
each other and only one of them can be followed. If the world was pleased with
someone his inmost self will not be happy with him. If the inner soul is
satisfied, the displeasure of the worldly people will have to be suffered. This
has generally happened in the lives of all true seekers of truth. It is very
very rare that the pursuit of higher ideals has been approved by relatives.
More ofter than not, the human soul had to surrender before the worldly people,
high ideals had to be given up and the old soul-suffocating routine had to be
carried on.
I faced this difficulty
the very first day. With the starting of the series of purascaranas I started
taking the prescribed food and leading the life of an ascetic (tapasvi). This
created havoc. People started discussing me in their own way in sweet and sour words.
The gist of their advice was that no steps should be taken to disturb the
ordinary reutilized way by which people earned their livelihood. Although our
ancestral property was so large that three generations could have easily been
fed and maintained sitting idle, it was stressed that it should all be kept
intact for future and the family should be maintained on fresh earnings through
the ancestral profession of priesthood. How could the arguments of these people
be rebutted? Ultimately, I make one of the three Gurus of Gandhiji as my Guru,
i.e. I kept silent and felt relieved. I simply said that what I was doing was
in response to Divine inspiration and thus restored a semblance of peace. I
started acting upon my solemnly taken pledge in such a manner as if I had not
to take advice from and answer to anybody. On a back look now I see that if
such firmness had not been shown my life boat would have been rocked by violent
jerks and capsized and I would have
missed that opportunity by which, with the help of Sadhana, I Have been
able to do good to myself as well as to the masses. Relationship with God could
not have been established with anything less than purity of heart and clarity
and brilliance of head.
I was subjected to a second test in my childhood
when the non-cooperation movement of the Indian National Congress started.
Gandhiji launched the satyagraha movement, called upon true patriots to come
out from the smugness of their homes, face the bullets and go to jail.
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